Congressman Paul Gosar Recognized By Goodwill Industries®

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Goodwill Industries International is pleased to honor Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) as a recipient of its Goodwill® National Policymaker Award for 2012. The award recognizes a federal lawmaker who has clearly demonstrated support for Goodwill's public policy priorities.

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Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, AZ) nominated Gosar for his support of Goodwill's public policy priorities, including funding, job creation and reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which is designed to create a universal system of one-stop career centers that provide access to training and employment services for the individuals who need them most, including adults with low incomes, youth who are at-risk for delinquency, and people with disabilities. Gosar was also the keynote speaker at the grand opening and ribbon cutting of a Safeway training center, located within Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona's operations.  

"Congressman Gosar understands firsthand Goodwill's role in economic development via job creation," said David Hirsch, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northern Arizona. "He deeply cares about our programs, which impact more than 4,500 people in the Northern Arizona region each year."

At a reception in Washington, D.C., Gosar was recognized and thanked for his ongoing support and influence for issues relevant to Goodwill. The reception was part of Goodwill Industries International's sixth annual Advocacy Day, Local to Global: Strengthening our Community.   

"Goodwill agencies throughout the country and particularly in my community are the leaders of job creation. They transform the value of the sale of goods in their stores and online into verifiable social impact for the community," said Gosar. "Throughout Northern Arizona, Goodwill's programs and initiatives for people with disabilities and disadvantages are having an economic and fiscal impact."

About Goodwill Industries International:
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in nearly 2,600 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2011, more than four million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) GOODWILL. Facebook: GoodwillIntl. Twitter: @GoodwillCapHill, @GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International