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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Dr. Jess Ussery, a former Talking Leaves Job Corps student and employee of the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) in Oklahoma City, has been chosen as the 2007 Job Corps Hall of Fame Winner. “The Cherokee Nation is very proud of Dr. Ussery and his accomplishments,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It is always encouraging to see our Cherokee citizens excel and become successful.” Dr. Ussery will receive his honor on Wednesday, October 17, at the Annual Job Corps Leadership Conference in Washington, DC. According to Karl Husmann, Center Director for Talking Leaves Job Corp in Tahlequah, Dr. Ussery began his career path at Talking Leaves in the 1970’s as a 16 year-old boy and has achieved a level of success that is deserving of recognition. “Dr. Ussery has had an exceptional career of accomplishments,” said Husmann. “He is now in a position of importance with the FAA in Oklahoma City and actively gives back to Talking Leaves by serving as a tutor and an advocate for youth in the Oklahoma City area.” Ussery has also served as a guest speaker for a program created by the Department of Labor’s Office of Job Corps called Speakers, Tutors, Achievement, Retention and Success (STARS). The STARS initiative was designed to help students strengthen their literacy, math skills and personal and social development. It is believed that STARS will increase student retention in Job Corps, ensure completion of their program of study, and ultimately prepare them for the 21st century workplace. “This is award is a very big deal in the Job Corps community,” said Husmann. “I think that Dr. Ussery is a great example to our youth and all that they can achieve.” The Talking Leaves Job Corps Center is operated by the Cherokee Nation and is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, within one half mile of the Nation's headquarters. Talking Leaves is an Indian preference vocational training facility for Native American youth from all parts of the United States. However, most of the youth served are from Oklahoma and in particular, Eastern Oklahoma. For more information about Talking Leaves Job Corps call, phone: 918-456-9959.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org