Congressman Cleaver Receives “Spirit of America Award”
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 20, 2014 – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II received the “Spirit of America” award from jobs4america and PACE for his efforts in contributing to the creation of over 100,000 customer service jobs in the United States. The award was presented to Cleaver by Matt Zemon, chairman jobs4america and Phillip Grudzinski, president and CEO of Professional Association of Customer Engagement during ceremonies at the PACE Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. today.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious award from jobs4america and PACE for what it represents—putting American citizens back to work with meaningful jobs and hope for a brighter future,” said Cleaver. “Our work is far from done and we will continue our critical mission of helping people in this state and country become fully employed.”
“In just the past 18 months, jobs4america has exceeded its target of creating 100,000 new customer service jobs in the United States by more than 76,000 and of that total 3,389 have been generated in Missouri,” said Zemon who is also CEO of American Support. “We salute Congressman Cleaver for his on-going efforts on behalf of American contact center workers to support job expansion and economic growth in our communities.”
“Congressman Cleaver has been a staunch supporter of public-private sector cooperation to provide needed jobs for U.S. workers,” said Grudzinski. “His dedication to job growth has assisted workers beyond the 5th congressional district in Missouri and is a model for the nation. Since 2013, economic development efforts in Missouri has enabled the state to increase customer service jobs at such firms as Aegis, APAC, AT&T, Charter, Expedia, Express Scripts, New Balance, Servco, Teletech, and T-Mobile.”
The “Spirit of America” award sculpture was created by American artist Kitty Cantrell and features two porcelain eagles in flight embedded in crystal representing the team-work required to strengthen our communities and advance human progress.
About jobs4america: Founded in 2012, jobs4america is a coalition of forward-looking business leaders committed to creating jobs in America. In their first two years, jobs4america was able to create more than 176,000 new U.S. based contact center jobs, exceeding their original 100,000 job goal. Jobs4america advocates the value of U.S. based workers to enhance customer experiences and the U.S. economy. Jobs4america’s current goal is to create another 100,000 new U.S. based contact center jobs by December 31, 2015. Jobs4america invites like-minded companies, big and small to join in their goal of creating U.S. based jobs. For further information visit: www.jobs4america.net
About PACE: The Professional Association for Customer Engagement (PACE) is the only non-profit trade organization dedicated exclusively to the advancement of companies that utilize multi-channel customer engagement support services as an integral channel of operations. PACE members include companies with inbound or outbound contact centers, users of contact centers, trainers, consultants, and equipment suppliers who initiate, facilitate, and generate telephone, Internet, and e-mail sales, chat service and support. For further information visit: www.paceassociation.com
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and also serves as Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus.