WASHINGTON-Public Printer Bill Boarman welcomed D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray to the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) to highlight the D.C. Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).  GPO has placed 26 District youths in various summer positions, giving them the opportunity to develop skills and undergo training in public service. The positions are funded by the D.C. Government.  The youths work in various GPO departments including information technology, plant operations, library services and content management, sales and marketing, and safety branch. GPO has placed District youths through the SYEP for nearly three decades. SYEP is administered by the D.C. Department of Employment Services, which provides District youth ages 14 to 21 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences through subsidized placements in the private and Government sectors.

Public Printer Boarman also gave Mayor Gray a tour of GPO's 150th anniversary history exhibit.  GPO has been an important part of the District since opening on March 4, 1861, and today employs approximately 300 D.C. residents.  GPO also performs work for the District on a reimbursable basis, including design services for a number of District agency brochures and annual reports.  Mayor Gray is the first D.C. Mayor to visit the agency in 35 years.

"I want to congratulate GPO for participating in the SYEP and serving as a model in helping our young people gain the work skills they will need for the future," said Mayor Vincent C. Gray.  "I appreciated the Public Printer showing me GPO's 150th anniversary exhibit and witnessing the work thousands of District residents have performed for our Federal Government over the years."

"GPO is honored to welcome Mayor Gray to the agency and demonstrate GPO's commitment to the D.C. community through the Summer Youth Employment Program," said Public Printer Bill Boarman. "GPO has a long history of participating in the program and looks forward to continuing to work with D.C. as a good neighbor."