Mayor Kathy Taylor Receives State’s Pro Patria Award
On Saturday, June 27, 2009, Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor was awarded Oklahoma’s ‘Pro Patria Award.’ Brigadier General (Ret) Gary Bray, Chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee () of Oklahoma, presented the award at a military awards banquet in Oklahoma City at 6 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Marriott, 3233 NW Expressway.
The ‘Pro Patria Award’ is presented annually by to the one employer in their respective state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support to our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Since taking office, military and veterans affairs has been one of Mayor Taylor’s top priorities. She created the Office of Veterans’ Affairs led by Matt Stiner, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, in order to address the needs of all veterans, service members, and the families that support them.
Along with receiving the ‘Pro Patria Award,’ Mayor Taylor was also awarded the ‘Patriotic Employer Award’ at the awards banquet. Several City of Tulsa employees who currently serve in the Oklahoma National Guard or Reserve nominated Taylor.
Jeff Condray, Master Sergeant with the 138th fighter wing and Tulsa International Airport employee, one of those who made the nomination, said, “I wanted to honor Mayor Taylor as she has honored us. Mayor Taylor’s passion for military personnel resonates in her words and is manifested in her deeds.”
“Mayor Taylor has gone above and beyond for the veterans, service members, and the families that support them in Tulsa” said Steve Porter, former Marine and Vietnam Veteran. “As Mayor, she is the first who has made us a priority with the initiatives and programs she has developed. There is not a single person in this state that deserves this award more than her.” Porter currently serves as the Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 577 in Tulsa and serves on the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council.
Mayor Taylor is also a national semi-finalist, along with two other companies in Oklahoma, for the ‘Freedom Award’. The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
Fifteen employers are awarded the ‘Freedom Award’ each year from across the nation.
Updated 07-01-2009
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