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Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Jobs for
America's Graduates (JAG)
Awards Luncheon
December 6, 2001
Thank you, Governor Racicot, and congratulations on your new job!
Although he could not make it here today, the President has asked me to
extend his personal greetings and appreciation for the outstanding work that is
being done by everyone in this room. When he was governor of Texas, President
Bush put in place the first Texas JAG program in El Paso. And since he has
become President, he has heard a lot about JAG from Governor Racicot.
So the President is very familiar with the program and he is very proud
of today's award recipients. He wanted me to express his appreciation to those
in the private sector who financially support this organization as well as
those who serve on national, state and local boards. Thank you for devoting
your time and talents to this successful program that invests in America's
future.
President Bush truly regrets not being able to be here today. I look
forward to presenting to him, on your behalf, the check to the Afghan
Children's Fund - a very special project. As the President has reminded us, the
Afghan people are also victims of terrorists.
I am so pleased to be joining you on behalf of President Bush to
celebrate JAG's 20th anniversary and to recognize the leadership award
recipients.
I'd like to send out a special greeting to the JAG delegation from my
adopted home state of Kentucky - I welcome you to Washington, DC and hope you
enjoy your visit here.
I must admit - it's a nice change of pace to talk about employment
success stories. After all, I'm the person who had to deliver the recent bad
news about rising unemployment. I've been referring to those numbers as the
"Bin Laden numbers."
But I am happy to report that those unemployment numbers are starting to
turn around. Recent unemployment data show that unemployment is beginning to
level off.
The economists who officially determined that we were in a recession are
now saying a recovery is on its way.
And as soon as Congress comes to an agreement on the details of the
stimulus package, I believe the positive effects of tax cuts and financial help
for dislocated workers will kick in and make a real difference.
Since the attacks on our country on September 11th, a number of things
have come into sharper focus. Things like the importance of family, freedom and
opportunity.
We are seeing our lives differently - and seeing how precious they are.
And we also realized, as those Bin Laden unemployment figures rose up,
how meaningful it is to have a job.
Ronald Reagan said that "the best social program devised is a job." I
agree wholeheartedly. It's a simple statement, but think of what having a job
implies:
- Having a job makes us economically productive - it means we give
back to the community and our country.
- It enables us to learn new things and meet new people.
- It enables us to take care of our loved ones, financially.
- It makes us independent in every sense - relying on our own paycheck
instead of on our families or the government.
- And finally, having a job makes us feel good about ourselves.
Does everyone here remember the feeling of getting his or her first
paycheck? I know, it's harder for some of us to remember than others…
But whether it was a computer-printed pay stub or a crisp $5 bill for a
high school babysitting job, that feeling of being paid money for work that you
did… well, that feeling is, as the credit card commercials say,
"priceless."
The JAG program makes that priceless feeling a reality for thousands of
students every year.
What I like most about the program is that it makes the term "at risk"
meaningless. JAG gives young people the support they need to overcome many of
the barriers that put them in that category in the first place.
JAG does not accept the idea that your family situation or your
economic background determines your ability to be a productive member of the
workforce.
I agree with it.
Your philosophy is inspirational, and it's sound. And you've been so
very successful because of it.
The Department of Labor has been part of JAG from the beginning. We know
that taxpayer dollars are well spent when we send it to JAG. That's because it
is not a hand-out, but an investment. An investment in you, your dreams and
your future.
This is how I want to see all of the programs at the Department of Labor
working - like an investment. Particularly those in our Employment and Training
Administration - which is the part of the Department that helps to fund JAG.
Congratulations to all of the award recipients… and also to all JAG
graduates. I know that JAG may have given you a boost, but your success today
can really be credited to your own hard work and perseverance. Don't ever
forget it - you should be very proud of your accomplishments.
Thank you.
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