11.08.2007 - 01:15pm ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was honored Nov. 8 by the U.S. Department of Labor as the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Secretary of Labor's Opportunity Award, the federal government's highest award that recognizes exemplary and innovative workplace diversity efforts by federal contractors.

The Opportunity Award is among the most desired equal employment opportunity awards. Companies must demonstrate through programs or activities a commitment to and measurable results in enhancing such opportunities for employees of all identities, dimensions, differences and similarities.

"I am honored to accept this most prestigious award on behalf of the Raytheon team," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "I am very proud of the members of the Raytheon team who showed tremendous leadership and dedication to this effort. Receiving this award will encourage us to set our sights even higher, as we strive to do even better."

Swanson was joined by Raytheon's Director of Compliance Management Tanya Lewis in receiving the award from U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao during a ceremony in Washington.

Raytheon has been a key leader for the federal contractor community in the integration of new regulations, such as the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs' new Internet Applicant definition and the alternatives to the notification of Raytheon opportunities without America's Job Bank. The company has also successfully integrated equal employment opportunity compliance into key Raytheon processes, such as talent acquisition, compensation, diversity, talent management and learning.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

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