U.S. Department of Labor Recognizes Six Organizations
for Creating Opportunities in the Workplace

WASHINGTON — For their efforts to promote equal employment opportunity, six companies and organizations were recognized today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) at an annual awards ceremony hosted by Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Three types of awards — the Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award, Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Award, and Exemplary Public Interest Contribution Award — were presented to acknowledge innovative workplace programs and initiatives that increase equal employment opportunity for the American workforce.

"Our country has benefited greatly from the emphasis on individual achievement and equal opportunity for all," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The organizations we are recognizing today, have made a special commitment to ensuring equal opportunities in the workplace."

The Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award, OFCCP's most prestigious tribute, was awarded to Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas for its innovative programs and initiatives designed to ensure equal opportunities for all applicants and employees. The three contractors receiving Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Awards for their outstanding equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs were Armed Forces Bank of Fort Lewis, Wash.; Goldman Sachs & Co., of New York City; and Roy Anderson Corporation of Gulfport, Miss.

OFCCP also recognized two public interest organizations with Exemplary Public Interest Contribution Awards for their support of federal contractors in their EEO efforts. These organizations are typically formed to help individuals with the least opportunities find and retain employment, and are often aligned with federal contractors to further EEO in the workplace. The recipients were Focus: HOPE of Detroit and HireAbility of Blackwood, N.J.

OFCCP, an agency of the U.S. Labor Department's Employment Standards Administration, enforces Executive Order 11246 and other laws that prohibit employment discrimination by federal contractors. The agency monitors federal contractors to ensure that they provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability or veterans' status.

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.