Tribute to Scana

TRIBUTE TO SCANA-HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN (Extensions of Remarks - March 11, 2004)

HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2004

Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend SCANA Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in my State, on being selected as the recipient of the United States Department of Labor's Opportunity Award. Each year, the Secretary of Labor selects one Federal contractor as the recipient of this high honor. It is given to the company which has most clearly exemplified that they have established and instituted comprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employment opportunity. On February 19, the Secretary of Labor presented this award to SCANA officials in what was a very impressive ceremony.

The nominees for the Opportunity Award must be Federal contractors covered by Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act, and must have a spotless record of compliance with Federal law. All of them must demonstrate that they have developed and are implementing a multi-faceted equal employment opportunity program directed towards the changing demographics of the labor force. I spent a lot of time, in my life before Congress, counseling Federal contractors in my State on the virtues of Executive Order 11246, and SCANA was often used by me as an example of how and why it could and should be done.

I am proud that my constituent, the SCANA Corporation, has continued to demonstrate a commitment to equal employment opportunity, and has achieved measurable results that have significantly enhanced equal employment opportunities for employees, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. To win this high honor, a company must have strong core values to serve as the foundation for successful implementation of its equal employment opportunity policies in every facet of the employment relationship and throughout the company.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Department of Labor has bestowed this high honor on the SCANA Corporation, and ask that you and my colleagues join me in commending SCANA for its ongoing efforts to institute comprehensive workforce strategies to ensure equal employment opportunities.

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