At an annual awards ceremony held in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2006; the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recognized six companies and organizations for their efforts to promote equal employment opportunity.

The event, which was hosted by Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, underscores the importance placed on equal employment opportunities among government contractors. The OFCCP 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.

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

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

OFCCP's most prestigious tribute is The Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award, which 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.

Three contractors received Exemplary Voluntary Efforts Awards for having exceptional equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs.  They were Armed Forces Bank of Fort Lewis, Washington; Goldman Sachs & Co., of New York and Roy Anderson Corporation of Gulfport, Mississippi.

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

The End