Westminster, California–The Southern California Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that the City of Westminster, the Westminster City Council and all of the departments within the city, signed Statements of Support (SoS). A Statement of Support is a symbolic proclamation that publicly states an employer’s commitment to support its employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. In addition, the City of Westminster received the coveted Seven Seals Award in recognition of their outstanding support of Guard and Reservists. 

Mayor Margie L. Rice signed a Statement of Support (SoS) during the City Council meeting affirming the city’s commitment to its citizen warriors serving our country in the Guard and Reserve. The SoS signing was a direct result of one of our fine volunteers, Tanya Pham and our ESGR Program Support Specialist, Tatyana Alvarez.  One of our other outstanding volunteers, Kristina Miller, spoke to the Council about the mission of the ESGR and presented Mayor Rice the Seven Seals Award.  The Seven Seals Award recognizes a city or agency for their extraordinary support for their Guard and Reservists and is given only in cases of documented support of Nation’s men and women of the Guard and Reserve.  Mayor Rice, upon receiving this prestigious award thanked the ESGR for recognizing their commitment to our Nation’s Guard and Reservists.  She stated that she wished to “thank all of you for all your volunteer work; we support all our service people and have adopted, as a city, a Marine Battalion.”

In addition to the Mayor Rice, every City Council member signed a Statement of Support and each department within the City of Westminster was given a SoS to sign and proudly hang in their city offices. This document is evidence of the city’s commitment to supporting the brave men and women who serve our country during both times of peace and conflict.

“This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it”, said Mr. Peter Gravett (Major General, Retired), Chairman of the Southern California ESGR Field Committee.  “Municipalities are one of the largest employer segments of National Guardsmen and Reservists in the country.  I am asking all of California’s cities, towns, and villages to re-affirm that their current human resources policies are a leading example of compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).”

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR provides education, consultation, and if necessary, mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.  More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling the Southern California Committee of the ESGR at 562-936-1746.