MILWAUKEE, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced today that Manpower is a recipient of the 2003 New Freedom Initiative Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. The award recognizes exemplary and innovative public-private partnership efforts that further the disability employment objectives of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative.

Manpower joins four other corporate award winners -- Booz Allen Hamilton, Cingular Wireless, Giant Eagle Inc. and IBM -- that will be recognized by the Secretary in this second year of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative. Four non-profit organizations and one individual will also receive awards from Secretary Chao.

"We make it our business to enhance workplace diversity, and that includes the employment of people with disabilities," said Barbara J. Beck, executive vice president of U.S. and Canadian operations for Manpower. "Due to our working relationships with thousands of employers, Manpower is uniquely positioned to forge employment opportunities for people with disabilities and tear down barriers to equality, as called for in the New Freedom Initiative."

Manpower received the New Freedom Initiative Award in recognition of its employment outreach program. The program includes in-depth disability awareness and accommodation training for Manpower staff as well as the use of assistive technology to enhance job accessibility for people with disabilities. In addition, Manpower works extensively with community rehabilitation providers throughout the country to actively recruit and employ people with disabilities, a model that other employers now replicate.

"All of us have to work toward a world where all individuals are respected for who they are, celebrated for their abilities, and encouraged to realize their full potential and achieve their dreams," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao in her address at the Pathways to Work in the 21st Century seminar in May. "We will continue to bring focus and awareness to solutions that ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the 21st century workforce."

Secretary Chao will present the 2003 New Freedom Initiative Awards on Wednesday, October 16, at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C.

President Bush introduced the New Freedom Initiative within the first 30 days of his Presidency. The New Freedom Initiative represents a comprehensive set of proposals designed to ensure that Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives, and participate fully in their communities.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Department of Labor has the key responsibility for implementing the employment-related aspects of the President's New Freedom Initiative.

About Manpower

Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) is a world leader in the staffing industry, providing workforce management services and solutions to customers through 4,000 offices in 63 countries. The firm annually provides employment to two million people worldwide and is an industry leader in employee assessment and training. In North America, Manpower staffing services include administrative, industrial and contact center personnel as well as the assignment of contract professionals in information technology, scientific, finance, engineering, telecommunications and other professional areas under the Manpower Professional brand. More information on the company can be found at http://www.manpower.com /.