March 6, 2001 Photo Release

OSHA Official Praises Saipan's Garment Factories

In opening remarks for the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association (SGMA) OSHA Safety Conference this week, U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Division Region IX Administrator Frank Strassheim said he was "overwhelmingly impressed" with improvements he's seen in the industry over the past few years. "I will tell anyone who will listen that this place is a model. This place is a success story," said Strassheim.

While noting that virtually all of Saipan's 33 factories had made great improvements, Strassheim singled out four companies as deserving of special recognition for their special efforts to create safe working environments for their employees: Tan Holdings, La Mode, Uno Moda and Sam Marianas. Joining Mr. Strassheim (third from right) for a photo at a break in the conference was: (ID left to right) La Mode Resident Manager Patricia Concepcion, Tan Holdings' Director of Safety & Health Ron Biggers, Uno Moda Resident Manager Louisa Quitugua, SGMA Chairman Gonzalo Santos, Sam Marianas Resident Manager Joe Salas, and SGMA Executive Director Richard A. Pierce.

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