May 14, 2015
On May 13, Easter Seals presented its prestigious Advocacy Awards to Booz Allen Hamilton and its Chairman of the Board Dr. Ralph Shrader, along with The Honorable Elizabeth Dole, founder of The Elizabeth Dole Foundation. The Easter Seals Advocacy Awards are given to honor military, government and business leaders for their “exemplary commitment to advancing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities or special needs, including wounded warriors, military, veterans and their families.”
In accepting his Advocacy Award, Chairman of the Board Ralph Shrader delivered these remarks:
“Tonight, we’re talking about heroes. I have more than 22 thousand of them -- the employees of Booz Allen Hamilton. Along with our employees, Booz Allen’s non-profit partners, our vendors, clients, and teaming partners are my heroes.
I’d like to tell you about just two of my heroes tonight – David Egan and Greg Jones.
David worked in Booz Allen’s mailroom for 19 years. He happens to have Down syndrome, but in addition to his day job, he’s served as a global ambassador for Special Olympics and has testified before Congress.
Last fall, David asked if I would write a letter of recommendation for his dream job – a Public Policy Fellowship with the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.
In February, he wrote to tell me he received the Fellowship -- and would begin working as an aide to the House of Representatives Ways & Means Committee.
David Egan is the first developmentally disabled person to ever be awarded a Kennedy Fellowship.
Greg Jones was David’s supervisor, mentor, and friend at Booz Allen for 19 years.
He taught David how to ride the bus to work and waited for him on the sidewalk outside our office in those early days.
He coached and supported David in his job, day-after-day, year-after-year -- and encouraged his external involvement.
There’s no question in my mind – nor in David’s, or David’s mother’s, mind – that Greg was instrumental in David’s success.
Heroes like Greg and David rise to the test.
If you think about it, all heroes -- from ancient times to present-day life – share that achievement.
Things happen – challenges and injustices, illness and injuries. And, heroes rise to the test.
Charmed lives and smooth seas don’t make heroes.
Last year, 2014, was Booz Allen’s 100th anniversary, and to honor it we asked our employees to rise to the test of volunteering and recording 100,000 hours of community service.
How did they do?
152,713 hours.
That is why our firm is so honored to be associated with an organization like Easter Seals, whose values and causes we share.
I thank you for this award. Thank you for honoring the heroes among us – and rising to the test -- by contributing your time, talents, and funds to Easter Seals.
Thank you.”
Greg Jones and David Egan are Booz Allen alumni; Greg continues to support the firm as a CBRE contractor; David is a Fellow with the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.
