| Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development News Release | |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, February 7, 2006 Governor Jim Doyle Secretary Roberta Gassman |
News Media Contact Rose Lynch 608/266-6753 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784 |
Milwaukee – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman presented award certificates on behalf of Governor Jim Doyle during a ceremony at the Roger and Leona Fitzsimonds Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee on Monday, February 2, 2006. The ceremony honored the winners of the department’s first safety calendar art contest.
DWD produces a Workers’ Compensation Safety calendar each year to raise awareness about workplace safety. This year, DWD invited the Milwaukee Boys and Girls Club to assist in creating a more eye-catching calendar and asked the young Milwaukee artists to submit illustrations as part of the first annual safety calendar contest. Twelve selections were made and the young artists’ pictures are included in the 2006 calendar.
“With the help of these talented young artists, we are raising awareness about safety in the workplace,” Governor Doyle said. “This artful calendar not only reminds workers of the need to take precautions and avoid injuries, but also serves to educate these children about safety. I join Secretary Gassman in congratulating the winners and thanking the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee for joining us in promoting a safe working environment.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee co-sponsored the contest with DWD’s Division of Worker’s Compensation. Parents of several winners attended the event.
Tariqkah Abdullah, 10, and Eric Johnson, 9, both members of the Fitzsimonds Branch, were among 12 artists whose drawings help illustrate safety tips in the 2006 Safety Calendar. The Division of Workers’ Compensation prints and distributes 4,000 calendars to factories, shops and offices across the state as part of its campaign to prevent injuries on the job. The 2006 Safety Calendar is the first illustrated with children’s art.
Frances Huntley-Cooper, administrator of the Division of Worker’s Compensation, joined Secretary Gassman in presenting the awards. Besides Tariqkah and Eric, winners and their Boys & Girls Clubs branch are:
Secretary Gassman applauded all club members who participated in the contest and thanked the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee for their assistance, especially President Jim Clark; Chris Protz, Vice President of Operations; Eric Ashley, Executive Director of the Fitzsimonds Branch; Alicia Fleming, Program Director, and Gretchen Gruenewald, Art Director.
As a member of Governor Doyle’s cabinet, Secretary Gassman leads the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and oversees 1,900 employees charged with strengthening Wisconsin’s workforce. With a budget of over $2 billion, DWD provides training and employment assistance to job seekers, works with employers to fill jobs, enforces worker’s rights, and administers Unemployment Insurance, Apprenticeship, and Worker’s Compensation.
Content Contact: Rose Lynch