SEC to Receive Diversity Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2008-263

Washington, D.C., Nov. 6, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission has been selected to receive the Distinguished in Diversity Award by GAYLAW, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Attorneys of Washington, in recognition of the agency's commitment to diversity in the workplace.

In a letter to SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, the organization's co-presidents Kristin R. Muenzen and Jeremy Brumbelow wrote, "Many of the developments for which the SEC will be recognized have transpired during your tenure as Chairman and because of your leadership." The letter calls the SEC a "model employer."

The SEC is the first public sector employer to receive the annual award.

"The SEC's leadership on diversity in the workplace is one of the reasons we have been consistently ranked in the top five 'Best Places to Work' in the federal government since 2005," said SEC Chairman Christopher Cox. "This award recognizes the agency's genuine commitment to recognizing the hard work and contributions made by every member of the SEC family. The diversity of SEC employees is one of the hallmarks of the agency's enduring success in serving investors everywhere."

The SEC has been ranked among the top five best places to work in the federal government consistently since 2005 by the Partnership for Public Service and American University's Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation (ISPPI). For 2007, the SEC placed third in the Best Places to Work, its highest rating ever. The rankings use data from a federal government survey administered by the Office of Personnel Management. They are compiled every other year.

The SEC will formally receive the diversity award during a ceremony on December 5.

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