For Immediate Release
February 26, 2003

Civil Service Deputy Receives National Disabled Vets Award

Albany, NY--Department of Civil Service Commissioner George C. Sinnott today announced that Executive Deputy Commissioner Daniel E.Wall has been named recipient of the Disabled American Veterans Commanders' Award.

The award recognizes Executive Deputy Commissioner Wall's unique contributions in advancing the cause of disabled veterans seeking State employment under the Governor's Program to Hire Veterans with Disabilities.

"On behalf of Governor Pataki, myself and all New York State residents, Dan is to be commended for his hands-on efforts and initiatives as an advocate for our disabled servicemen and servicewomen," said Commissioner George C. Sinnott.

"Mr. Wall's advocacy and actions clearly demonstrate his commitment to assure disabled veteran placement within New York State agencies," said J. Frank Merges, assistant director of Veterans' Employment and Training for the United States Department of Labor, in nominating Wall for the award.

Since 1995 about 100 disabled veterans have been hired by New York State under the Governor's Program to Hire Veterans with Disabilities, including about 40 veterans who would not have been eligible without Wall's advocacy efforts. Over the last six years, 30 disabled veterans hired under the program have been promoted to higher positions in State service.

Among Wall's accomplishments recognized by the DAV have been his personal lobbying efforts with other State agencies for the appointment of disabled veterans to positions. The award also noted his efforts to make the program more "disabled veteran friendly" by dramatically reducing paperwork used in determining program eligibility. That has led to the reduction of time for determining eligibility from nearly three weeks to a single day for most veterans.

The program allows for the placement of veterans with disabilities to positions that would ordinarily be filled by competitive examination within state service.

Wall, a Guilderland resident, was appointed Executive Deputy Commissioner in 1998.

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