BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA 
 
A PROCLAMATION 
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP MONTH 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have been established in approximately 11 ,500 companies in the United States, employing over 10 million working men and women; and 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
Employee ownership is increasingly becoming a practice that is instrumental in helping Americans share in our nation' s economic growth and achieve greater prosperity by signifying access to capital stock in the busi ness at which they are employed; and 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
Employee ownership has become a powerful incentive for Americans to make the best of their talents and energies in their places of work, thus strengthening the competitive potential of our state's businesses; and 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
Employee ownership is an integral part in creating and retaining jobs in Georgia; and 
 
WHEREAS: 
 
The successful record of employee-owned firms in benefiting both companies and employees merits recognition; now 
 
THEREFORE: 
 
I, NATHAN DEAL, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby proclaim October 2011, as EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP MONTH in Georgia with October 13 as EMPLOYEE-OWNER DAY and encourage our citizens to learn more about ESOPs and to contribute toward creating and retaining jobs in our state. 
 
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed this 7 th day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven. 
 
ATTEST 
 
GOVERNOR 
 
CHIEF OF STAFF