PHILADELPHIA -- Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced that a Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Philadelphia Field Office supervisor recently received a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Pennsylvania ESGR is particularly proud to present employers with a Seven Seals Award for their strong support of their employees serving in our nation’s Reserve forces.

According to Marty Kuhar ESGR Pennsylvania State Chair, “The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.”

HUD Procurement Supervisor Shelli Waltz was nominated for the Seven Seals Award by Lt. Col. Diana Torres who is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 1st Brigade of the 78th Training Support Brigade stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey. Earlier this year, Waltz previously received a Patriot Award after Lt. Col. Torres nominated her for the outstanding support provided her as a member of the Reserve forces.

Lt. Col. Torres noted that she consistently receives outstanding support from the entire HUD Philadelphia Field Office team. Lt. Col. Torres stated: “Waltz and the entire team are enablers that allow me to successfully manage my job training requirements, normal workload, and military service.”

Wes Craig, Pennsylvania ESGR’s Southeast Area Chair and State Chair Emeritus, presented the Seven Seals Award to Waltz. In presenting the award, Craig commented: “It’s critical and an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those employers that hire and support our Guard and Reserve forces. It would be difficult for those in the uniformed services to perform their mission without employer support.” Craig added: “Today’s members of the Guard and Reserves are highly trained and skilled; they bring integrity, a global perspective and, proven leadership to the civilian workforce.”

In addition to presenting a Seven Seals Award, Craig obtained a Statement of Support from Waltz. The Statement of Support confirms that the company joins other employers in pledging:
• We fully recognize, honor, and comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).
• We will provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
• We appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to hire Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans.
• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families, in peace, in crises and in war.

“Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Craig. “I am asking all Southeast Pennsylvania employers to take a look at their current human resources policies to incorporate policies supportive of Guard and Reserve employees.” Many Pennsylvania employers provide support above and beyond their legal requirements by law by offering pay-differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees mobilize.”

HUD’s Philadelphia Field Office joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal, agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces. Craig added: “By signing the Statement of Support, HUD’s Philadelphia Field Office is sending a clear message to its employees that while they are serving their country, they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, seeks to foster 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. ESGR facilitates and promotes a cooperative culture of employer support for National Guard and Reserve service by developing and advocating mutually beneficial initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support, increasing awareness of applicable laws and policies, resolving potential conflicts between employers and their service members, and acting as the employers’ principal advocate within DoD. Paramount to ESGR's mission is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, a global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

For more information about ESGR Outreach Programs, or ESGR volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil/PA

Photo (L to R): HUD Philadelphia Field Office Director Robert Ford, Seven Seals Award recipient Waltz, Lt. Col. Torres, and ESGR’s Area Chair Craig