Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.

News Release

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Recognizes Recipients
of Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award at Award
Ceremony

Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award Recognizes Achievements of People with Disabilities

WASHINGTON—Five businesses, three non-profits, and one National Football League player today received the Secretary of Labor's annual New Freedom Initiative Award for service to people with disabilities.

“President Bush wants all Americans to have the opportunity to develop skills and engage in productive work,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Recipients of the Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award recognize the value that persons with disabilities bring to the workplace and that wisdom is reflected in their daily actions and operations.”

The Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award recognizes exemplary and innovative efforts to train, recruit and hire people with disabilities and to incorporate the principles of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative. Introduced in 2001, the New Freedom Initiative is a comprehensive set of proposals designed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of community life, including employment. Awardees were honored by Secretary Chao at a departmental ceremony.

Biographies on the awardees and additional information can be found at www.dol.gov/odep/newfreedom/nfi04.htm. The awardees were:

INDIVIDUAL:

  • Michael John Maslowski, Linebacker Kansas City Chiefs, Overland Park, Kansas

NON-PROFITS :

  • Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities Washington, DC
  • Project SEARCH Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Salt Lake Community College Skills Center Projects With Industry Salt Lake City, Utah

BUSINESSES:

  • A & F Wood Products Howell, Michigan
  • Hewlett- Packard Company Palo Alto, California
  • MBNA America Bank, N.A. Wilmington, Delaware
  • Microsoft Corporation Redmond, Washington
  • SunTrust Banks, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Agency
Office of Disability Employment Policy
Date
November 17, 2004