Press Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii
PJKK Federal Building (808) 541-2850
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 6-100 FAX (808) 541-2958
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
For Immediate Release
Contact: Elliot Enoki
August 10, 2008
HAWAII'S U.S. ATTORNEY ED KUBO RECEIVES THE "SEVEN SEALS AWARD"
The United States Attorney's Office announced today that Hawaii's U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo has received the "Seven Seals Award" by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), during an awards dinner at Hickam Air Force Base this Saturday.
The Seven Seals Award is the highest state award given by ESGR from the Department of Defense. It is awarded in recognition of an individual's outstanding achievement, initiative or support over time that promotes the mission of ESGR. The award is symbolic of the seven U.S. military reserve branches supported by ESGR (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine and Coast Guard reserves, along with the Army and Air National Guard). This award is the only award that transcends both the employer awards and volunteer awards programs given by ESGR.
"I am very honored to receive the Seven Seals Award, and by this recognition from ESGR. As Hawaii's National Guard and Reserves are being activated during these challenging times, we must also recognize and acknowledge the strong support from our Hawaii employers, who also sacrifice when their employees are away on military duty. These companies are true patriots because they go above and beyond the call in supporting their employees during their absence from their jobs," said Kubo. "I will continue to do all that I can to support our employers who understand their employee's military commitment to our Nation."
U.S. Attorney Kubo is an active supporter of ESGR. In 2007, he launched "Operation Mahalo" to recognize these Hawaii employers with "Certificates of Patriotism," and he is also a national proponent for stronger federal laws protecting our Guard and Reserve members. This month, Kubo unveiled an educational DVD which advises Guard and Reserves on what their federal rights are when they are activated for military service.
ESGR is a Department of Defense agency. Its mission is to educate, develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees, to ensure our national security. Where necessary, ESGR will also provide mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees, to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.
Previous recipients of the Seven Seals Award are Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Iowa Governor Chet Culver, Los Angles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Kenai Alaska Mayor Pat Porter. U.S. Attorney Kubo is the only U.S. Attorney in the Nation to have received this prestigious award.
More information about ESGR and its program, or to sign up to show your support for Hawaii's Guard and Reserve, please call ESGR Hawaii (Mr. Ken Wilson or Ms. Elaine Whitlock) at (808) 672-1246, or visit the ESGR website at www.ESGR.org.
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