PG&E Corporation military reservists returning from deployments
honored as Corporation receives statewide award for "above
and beyond" leave policies
(San Francisco, CA ) - PG&E Corporation was presented with
the 2002 Pro Patria Award today by the Department of Defense's
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The statewide
honor was given to PG&E Corporation for providing military
reservists with pay and benefits while serving on active duty and
for the Corporation's longstanding commitment to employee reservists.
Literally translated from the Latin "for the country," the
ESGR's Pro Patria Award is given annually on a statewide basis
to employers who demonstrate exceptional support of employee military
reservists.
"We are extremely proud to receive this honor from ESGR," said
PG&E Corporation Chairman, CEO, and President Robert D. Glynn,
Jr. "Our employee reservists are playing a major role in protecting
our nation. We believe it's our corporate responsibility to support
their extraordinary commitment."
Several PG&E Corporation employees are presently on active
duty with orders to support "Noble Eagle," "Enduring
Freedom," and other important operations around the world.
The Corporation's emergency military leave policy provides the
difference between military pay and regular salary for up to six
months of active duty. Based on current circumstances, the leave
policy has been extended. The Corporation also continues providing
the full range of employee benefits to the reservists and his or
her dependents for up to 18 months of military service. PG&E
Corporation has historically reevaluated its leave policy during
times of national crisis and will continue to do so as the United
States military responds to the events of September 11th and other
national security matters.
The Corporation's policy was expanded after the events of September
11 to benefit employees like Don Jorgensen, a Pacific Gas and Electric
Company customer service representative currently deployed in support
of Operation Noble Eagle. "PG&E Corporation has been incredibly
supportive," said Jorgensen, who received orders from the
U.S. Air Force just after the September 11 attacks. "Having
this support from the Company is enabling me to fulfill my military
duties while continuing to support my family. I'm appreciative
to the Company for its support of employees who've been called
to active military duty." Master Sergeant Jorgensen is now
stationed at the Fresno Air National Guard and will remain there
with the 144th Fighter Wing Aircraft Generator Squadron through
January of 2004. He is married with two children, 12 and 9.
Numerous PG&E Corporation employees stand ready to answer
the call to duty and many have already been deployed and returned
to their jobs since September 11. Mary Adamson, a PG&E Corporation
executive assistant and Commander in the U.S. Navy, returned this
month from a 13-month deployment with a Naval Reserve entity that
performs shore-based intelligence activities. "Without PG&E
Corporation's support it would be a huge financial problem for
reservists because military and civilian pay differentials can
be large. The Corporation extended benefits to me throughout my
entire absence."
Jorgensen, Adamson and 10 other PG&E Corporation reservists
from each branch of the military were honored today at the Pro
Patria Award presentation (list attached). The award ceremony was
held at an employee gathering at Pacific Gas and Electric Company
headquarters in San Francisco. Students from the University of
San Francisco Reserve Officer Training Corps opened the ceremony
with a formal presentation of the colors. PG&E Corporation
Chairman, CEO and President Robert D. Glynn, Jr. accepted the Pro
Patria Award from the ESGR on behalf of the Corporation's 21,000
employees.
"PG&E Corporation is to be commended for its longstanding
support of the men and women who maintain our nation's defenses," said
Venna Bishop, chair of the San Jose committee of the ESGR and presenter
of the award. "We realize the tremendous impact it has on
employers to have their employees deployed, and we applaud PG&E
Corporation for going above and beyond to support their reservists
through the years."
The ESGR selected PG&E Corporation for the Pro Patria Award
in part due the Corporation's long history of supporting its reservists.
In World War I, 606 -- more than 10 percent of Pacific Gas and
Electric Company's employees - served in the military or in the
Red Cross. In World War II, one-sixth of the utility's men and
women served in the armed forces, a total of 2,700 in all. The
company made and kept the promise to re-hire all of its returning
citizen soldiers.
Also in attendance at today's award ceremony was John Busterud,
a corporate lawyer at Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Major
in the U.S. Army Reserves. "Both my grandfathers served in
WWI and my Dad is a WWII veteran. As a third generation member
of the military, I value PG&E Corporation's historic and continued
support for its citizen soldiers."
The ESGR is an agency within the Office of the Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Reserve Affairs. It was established in 1972 to promote
cooperation and understanding between reservists and their civilian
employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising
from an employee's military commitment. The ESGR selects Pro Patria
award winners annually in each state, the District of Columbia,
Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Pro Patria winners are
considered for the ESGR's highest honor, the National Freedom Award.