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SGMA named as OVR Employer of the Year
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Posted on Nov 01 2004
The Office of the Governor, State Rehabilitation Council, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation have chosen the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association as its Employer of the Year during an award ceremony Friday at the Pacific Islands Club Charley’s Cabaret, citing its efforts in promoting the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities.
The ceremony capped the monthlong observance of October as Disability Employment Awareness Month.
“Thank you very much for this award,” said SGMA executive director Richard A. Pierce, who was on hand to receive the award. “We will proudly display it in our offices.”
Pierce recognized United International Corp., Sam Marianas Inc., American Pacific Textile and Hansae (Saipan) Inc. as SGMA firms hiring individuals with disabilities.
He credited the firms “for believing in the abilities of all people, for realizing that all individuals have the potential to contribute to the economic development of the Northern Marianas, and for promoting the advancement of an inclusive island community.”
OVR Director Felicitas “Tee” P. Abraham presented Pierce with the plaque and credited SGMA for promoting the employment of qualified individuals with disabilities. He also presented SGMA with an Award of Outstanding Merit signed by Gov. Juan N. Babauta and State Rehabilitation Council chair William Jones.
Other employers present at the ceremony who were recognized for working with OVR to place qualified persons with disabilities in jobs were Bien Seiko Inc., Department of Public Works, Mount Carmel School, CNMI Center for Independent Living, Karidat Social Service, Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development, Department of Public Health, and ChaCha Ocean View Junior High School.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month was expanded from a one-week awareness period to a monthlong period in 1988 by the U.S. Congress. Prior to the change, the first week of October was annually proclaimed as National Employ and Physically Handicapped Week, beginning in 1945. The word “physically” was removed in 1962 to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities.
