Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 11:40:40 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Nice memo to US Commerce Dept employees
To: noglstp@listserver.nenet.org (NOGLSTP)


Dear friends in NOGLSTP,

I thought I would pass along this memo for your enjoyment.  It's a morale 
boost for all of us, not just the two or three of us on the list who 
actually do science for the Commerce Department.  Best wishes,

Steve Garner
GFDL/NOAA
Princeton, NJ


> June 2, 1997
> 
> MEMORANDUM FOR ALL COMMERCE EMPLOYEES
> 
> FROM:            William M. Daley
> 
> SUBJECT:         Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Awareness Month
> 
> 
> This June marks the third annual observance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Awareness 
> Month at the Department.  "Equality Through Visibility" is the theme for this 
> year's events.  Throughout the Federal Government and the rest of America, gay, 
> lesbian and bisexual people take this opportunity to stand up and be 
> acknowledged for their contributions to society and their workplaces.
> 
> The challenge of diversity is to ensure equal opportunity for all employees to 
> achieve their full potential and feel valued in the Commerce community.  This 
> includes each employee's right to work without fear of stereotyping and unfair 
> treatment by supervisors and colleagues due to one's sexual orientation.  In 
> creating such an environment, we demonstrate our commitment to workforce 
> diversity.
> 
> We must all ask ourselves how we individually can contribute to a workforce 
> that is free of all forms of discrimination and harassment.  We must remember 
> that denying the freedoms of some Americans jeopardizes the freedoms of us all.
> 
> This month's events give us an opportunity to reflect on and explore how we 
> have worked together to ensure a safer workplace for the Department's gay, 
> lesbian and bisexual employees.  I wish to take this occasion to reaffirm the 
> Department's policy of non- discrimination; its purpose is to ensure a 
> supportive and respectful environment where employees can be useful and 
> productive with the expectation that they will be treated fairly and equitably. 
>  By valuing all our employees, we can develop an appreciation and respect for 
> both our similarities and our differences.
> 
> Thus, I encourage you to attend this month's events -- this is an opportunity 
> for each of us to meet the challenge of diversity -- the foundation of America 
> and this Department.
> 
> Please join me in acknowledging the contributions of our gay, lesbian, and 
> bisexual colleagues.
> 
> This document will be made available in alternate format upon request by 
> calling (202) 482-5691 (V/TDD/TYY).
> 
> _________________________________________________________
> This message was generated for the Secretary of Commerce
> by the NOAA Resource Development Center/Computer Division
>