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<b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><img width="272" height="88" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01CD81FA.2CC46D10"></span></b><b><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Commissioner Brad Avakian<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:15.0pt">Bureau of Labor & Industries<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:8.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Press Release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.5pt">For Immediate Distribution<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt">August 24, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.5pt">CONTACT: Bob Estabrook, 503-709-0730<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Business Award Nominations Open through October 1st<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i>Bureau of Labor and Industries to present 4<sup>th</sup> Annual Business Leadership Awards<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>PORTLAND-</b> The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) and state Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian are reminding Oregonians that nominations for the 4<sup>th</sup> Annual BOLI Business Leadership Awards remain open
 through October 1, 2012.  Nominations are easy to submit: just email <a href="mailto:BOLI_BizAwards@state.or.us">
BOLI_BizAwards@state.or.us</a> with:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">The nominator’s name and contact information;<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">The nominated employer, including their website and a contact person and reliable contact information; and<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;layout-grid-mode:char;text-autospace:none">
<span lang="X-NONE" style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">How the nominee has demonstrated leadership in its commitment to fair workplaces, protecting civil rights in the community and/or developing a stronger workforce.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="layout-grid-mode:char;text-autospace:none"><span lang="X-NONE" style="color:black;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">BOLI Business Leadership Awards are considered in three categories: Civil Rights Champion, Fair Workplace Champion, and Workforce Development Champion.  Nominees must be businesses or non-profit employers currently operating primarily within
 Oregon, or with headquarters in Oregon.  While business owners may not nominate their own company, they and any other Oregonian are encouraged to nominate an outstanding employer for one, or more than one, category of award.  
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Oregon is fortunate to have many great employers who are great supporters of their workers and their local communities,” Avakian said.  “Winning one of these awards, and the assortment of prizes from BOLI’s Technical Assistance for Employers
 Program that accompany it, attests to the positive investments that an employer is making in Oregon’s economy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Avakian created the BOLI Business Leadership Awards in 2009 to recognize the good work that Oregon’s employers do every day for the community, their workers, and the future of Oregon’s economy.  Champions recognized in previous years include
 such diverse operations as Columbia River Bar Pilots in Astoria, Continental Mills in Pendleton, Dogs for the Deaf in Medford and Hawthorne Auto Clinic in SE Portland.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Visit <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI">www.oregon.gov/BOLI</a> for more information about all of BOLI’s work to support employers, the workforce and a stronger economy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoHeader" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">######<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoFooter" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoFooter" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and protect access to housing and public accommodations
 free from discrimination.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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