Pennsylvania Gov. Rendell Applauds State Agency for Work in Equal Opportunity

Agency Wins National Honor Today

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell
today commended a Department of Labor & Industry office for winning a national
award for its work in making sure that men and women of all races and
ethnicities have the same opportunities while on the job.

L&I's Office of Equal Opportunity today received the 2008 William J. Harris
Equal Opportunity Award, given by the National Association of State Workforce
Agencies, and is the only state equal opportunity office honored by the
association this year.

Labor & Industry Acting Secretary Sandi Vito and Equal Opportunity Director
Autro Heath Jr. accepted the award today during the 19th Annual Equal
Opportunity Conference luncheon in Arlington, Va.

"All workers deserve equal opportunity to succeed," Governor Rendell said.
"Since the beginning of my administration, I have made diversity and achieving
equal opportunities in all aspects of state government a priority. Earning
this award is a testament to the culture of success L&I has created in its
equal opportunity office, and I am proud that this is another area where
Pennsylvania is being recognized as a national leader."

The William J. Harris Award is given annually, and recognizes a state
workforce agency administrator and equal opportunity director for excellence
in the field of equal opportunity. The award is based on level of innovation,
program scope, impact in the applicant's state and ongoing commitment to equal
opportunity.

In its award application, L&I's Office of Equal Opportunity detailed nearly
every aspect of its office operations, from training and compliance
investigation, to uses of technology and diversity initiatives.

Its outreach initiatives included the bi-annual state equal opportunity
conference and various job fairs organized by the office. The conference,
through workshops and various speakers, provides a forum for equal opportunity
professionals to network and gain ideas to advance diversity and equal
opportunity initiatives in the commonwealth.

Job fairs allow Pennsylvanians from diverse, and often underrepresented,
populations to meet with employers and explore job opportunities. L&I's Office
of Equal Opportunity has also established relationships with chambers of
commerce throughout Pennsylvania and neighboring states to increase
opportunities for people in underrepresented populations to obtain employment.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses.To find out more
about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter,
visit: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.

CONTACT:
Christopher S. Manlove 717-787-7530 (L&I)
Barry Ciccocioppo 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

Christopher S. Manlove of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry,
+1-717-787-7530; or Barry Ciccocioppo of the Pennsylvania Office of the
Governor, +1-717-783-1116