Assembly Resolution No. 303

BY: M. of A. Santabarbara

COMMENDING Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR) New York Committee upon the occasion
of hosting its 2017 Awards Banquet, and paying
tribute to this year's honorees

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and
support the purposeful cause of the Employer Support of the Guard and
Reserve (ESGR) New York Committee, recognizing its long and sustained
commitment to fostering a culture in which all employers support and
value the employment and military service of members of the National
Guard and Reserve in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) New York
Committee upon the occasion of hosting its 2017 Awards Banquet, and
paying tribute to this year's honorees; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will be celebrated at the
Committee's 2017 Awards Banquet on Friday, April 28, 2017, at the
Radisson Hotel in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees of the Pro Patria Award include
Barclays, the Transportation Security Administration, and the MTA/NYC
Transit Authority; this prestigious award is presented annually by each
ESGR State Committee to one small, one large, and one public sector
employer in their state or territory; and

WHEREAS, Barclays, the Transportation Security Administration, and
the MTA/NYC Transit Authority have demonstrated the greatest support to
Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices,
including adopting personnel policies which make it easier for employees
to participate in the National Guard and Reserve; and

WHEREAS, This year's honorees of the Above and Beyond Award include
the Albany County Sheriff's Office, Amtrak of the Capital Region,
Verizon, BOCES, the Nassau County Police Department, and the Bank of
America, as well as MDS HVAC-R; and

WHEREAS, The Above and Beyond Award recognizes employers at the
local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by providing
their Guard and Reserve employees additional, non-mandated benefits such
as differential or full pay to offset lost wages, extended health
benefits, and other similar benefits; and

WHEREAS, The Guard and Reserve are essential to the strength of our
Nation and the well-being of our communities; and

WHEREAS, In the highest American tradition, the patriotic men and
women of the Guard and Reserve serve voluntarily in an honorable and
vital profession; they train to respond to their community and their

country in time of need, and consequently, deserve the support of every
segment of our society; and

WHEREAS, The ESGR, a program of the Department of Defense, promotes
cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members
and their civilian employers; and

WHEREAS, For over 40 years, ESGR has fostered a culture in which
employers recognize, honor and comply with the Uniformed Services
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), provide its managers
and supervisors with the tools that they need to effectively manage
employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve; appreciate the values,
leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce;
encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans; and
acknowledge the sacrifice made by our country's service members and
their families, in peace, in crisis and in war; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is very pleased to have this
opportunity to express its gratitude to those organizations which
support the role of the Reserve and Guard in preserving our national
security; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) New York
Committee upon the occasion of hosting its 2017 Awards Banquet, and
paying tribute to this year's honorees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) New
York Committee, and to the aforementioned honorees.