LAS VEGAS – Â鶹´«Ã½ of America today announced that the Louisiana Associated General Contractors (LÂ鶹´«Ã½), one of its 96 Chapters, received $5,000 in recognition of its efforts promoting the 811 "Know What's Below – Call Before You Dig" campaign in Louisiana. LÂ鶹´«Ã½ accepted its award at Â鶹´«Ã½'s 89th Annual Convention in Las Vegas.
"Â鶹´«Ã½'s commitment to worker and public safety, and the dedication of our local Chapters promoting the use of one–call systems, has helped to decrease damage incidents and offered a simple alternative for the public to reach their local one–call center," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of Â鶹´«Ã½.
Ken Naquin, chief executive officer of LÂ鶹´«Ã½, Kerry Hunt, communications director at LÂ鶹´«Ã½, and Vic Weston, LÂ鶹´«Ã½ treasurer, accepted the award on behalf of LÂ鶹´«Ã½. Many Chapter members have expressed appreciation for the service and have utilized it in their work. Call volume, especially among homeowners and agriculture, has increased since the implementation of 811 last year.
"We appreciate Â鶹´«Ã½ of America's recognition of our efforts," said Naquin. "Educating Louisiana communities about the dangers of digging without a call to 811 has been an important part of our efforts this year."
Â鶹´«Ã½ was the first National Launch Partner for the 811 "Know What's Below – Call Before You Dig" campaign, launched in May 2007. 811 is the FCC–designated number, created to eliminate confusion of multiple "Call Before You Dig" numbers across the country. The service connects callers with local One Call Centers who notify appropriate local utilities, who then send crews to the requested site to mark the location of underground lines.
Â鶹´«Ã½ of America (Â鶹´«Ã½) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. Â鶹´«Ã½ represents 33,000 firms, including 7,500 of America's leading general contractors and 12,500 specialty–contracting firms. More than 13,000 service providers and suppliers are associated with Â鶹´«Ã½ through a nationwide network of chapters. Visit the Â鶹´«Ã½ Web site at . Â鶹´«Ã½ members are "Building Your Quality of Life."
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