Twin Cities, MN— The month of November for the MN ESGR was driven by the theme, “multiple outcomes for a single event”.  This theme was made evident in the Statement of Support Signings with U.S. Bancorp and 3M Company.  

As the finale to their “Proud to Serve” week, U.S Bancorp military employees and family of military members received an invitation to “Join Richard Davis as he signs the ESGR Statement of Support, publicly affirming U.S. Bank’s commitment to our employees who serve this country in the National Guard and Reserve”.   On the morning of November 13th, more than 100 employees were present as Mr. Davis and Mr. Rebholz signed a Statement of Support for over 3,500 U.S. Bancorp locations across the nation.  
 
 “We truly appreciate the sacrifices made by the hundreds of U.S. Bank employees across the nation who serve our country in the armed forces, and as an employer, it’s important that we clearly articulate our commitment to those employees and their families,” said Davis. “Signing the ESGR Statement of Support is one way we can do that, while also showing our respect and gratitude for all they do to protect our freedoms.”
 
Three days later, on November 16th, Mr. Rebholz returned to Minnesota to meet with 3M Company President & CEO, Mr. George W. Buckley for another commitment by a Minnesota employer to support their Guard and Reserve employees.  In the privacy of the company board room, Mr. Buckley signed a Statement of Support for nearly 100 company locations.   The group that was invited to witness the event included several military employees and members of 3M’s Military Support Network.
 
“We are pleased to join the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and the Beyond the Ribbon organization in expressing our commitment to support our troops.”  remarked Buckley prior to signing the Statement of Support.  “We appreciate the efforts of 3M’s Military Support Network, which is doing an outstanding job of helping our employees serving in the military with their deployment, supporting their families while they are away and also helping them make the transition back to work.”

When asked about the criteria, Mr. Rebholz said “By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, U.S. Bancorp and 3M Company will stand proudly with their Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life.  Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation”.  Rebholz added, “By signing the Statement of Support, Mr. Davis and Mr. Buckley are sending a clear message to the employees of U.S. Bancorp and 3M Company that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

U.S. Bancorp currently employs over 1300 military employees and has recently created new resources for military service members.  U.S. Bancorp, with $265 billion in assets, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 2,851 banking offices and 5,175 ATMs in 24 states, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions.
 
On September 22nd, 2009 3M Company was declared a Yellow Ribbon Corporation by Governor Pawlenty.  To be recognized as a Yellow Ribbon company, 3M was required to meet several criteria to include a Statement of Support signing.  3M Company is a $25 billion diversified technology, company with leading positions in consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and telecommunications; health care; industrial; safety, security and protection services; transportation and other businesses.  Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, the company has operations in more than 60 countries and serves customers in over 200 countries.
 
The vision of ESGR is to “develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees”.   It is through Statement of Support signings such as these that the agency will continue to achieve multiple outcomes from single events.