Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) received the Above and Beyond Award yesterday from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) State Committee during a ceremony at the New York State Capitol. The presentation was attended by Hy Taylor, ESGR’s New York state committee military outreach director, and Brendan Byrnes, regional coordinator for the Assembly Minority Conference Mid‑Hudson Office, who nominated Leader Barclay’s office.

The award recognizes employers who exceed the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by providing additional support and flexibility to employees serving in the National Guard and U.S. Military Reserves.

“Our Guard and Reserve members make extraordinary sacrifices, and supporting them is the least we can do,” Barclay said. “I’m grateful to Brendan for his service and proud to see to it that anyone in our office who wears the uniform has the backing they deserve at home.”

Individual awards, called Seven Seals Awards, were also presented to Mid-Hudson Office staff members Ken Ronk and Cara Masterson in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative or support.