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News ReleaseBNSF Railway Signs "5-Star" Statement of Support For the National Guard and ReserveARLINGTON, VA, February 14, 2006:The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense agency, announced that BNSF Railway Company today became the first railroad to adopt a "5-Star" Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve. The statement was signed in Fort Worth by Matthew K. Rose, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation. The "5-Star" Statement of Support confirms BNSF Railway:
BNSF has a longstanding record of commitment to America's men and women in uniform as well as its citizen soldiers. More than 400 BNSF employees have been called to duty in the armed forces since Sept. 11, 2001, and 195 BNSF employees were on active duty as of Jan. 31, 2006. BNSF offers enhanced and extended benefits to those employees called to active duty, including "make-whole" pay and benefits. In 2005, BNSF was recognized by GI Jobs magazine as one of America's Top 25 Most Military Friendly Employers. In 2005, BNSF hired over 750 veterans and has dedicated resources to link interested service members in transition from military to civilian life with meaningful and challenging career opportunities (bnsf.com/careers/military). "Less than 1 percent of employers of Guardsmen and Reservists in the United States have achieved the '5-Star' level of recognition by the Department of Defense," said Elvin Schofield, Texas ESGR State Chair. "By signing the '5-Star' Statement of Support, BNSF has fulfilled the requirements to be recognized by the Department of Defense as a patriotic employer who has set the standard of support for all employers in the State of Texas," Schofield added. "BNSF is pleased to show its support for the Guard and Reserve by signing the '5-Star' Statement," said Rose. "We recognize and appreciate the sacrifice and service not only of the citizen-soldiers who are members of Team BNSF, but of all of America's heroes who have answered the call to serve and defend our country since September 11, 2001." About BNSF Railway A subsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (NYSE:BNI), BNSF Railway operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America, with about 32,000 route miles in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. The railway is among the world's top transporters of intermodal traffic, moves more grain than any other American railroad, transports the components of many of the products we depend on daily, and hauls enough low-sulphur coal to generate about ten percent of the electricity produced in the United States. BNSF Railway is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions at www.bnsf.com. About Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 whose mission is to gain and maintain active support from all public and private employers for the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve as defined by demonstrated employer commitment to military service. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees. As the 1.2 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions within America’s borders and beyond, ESGR will continue as the informational agency for the employers of America’s Patriots. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling 800-336-4590. BNSF Headquarters |
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