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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
DOL Day
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Thank you, Pat [Pizzella].
Welcome, everyone, to the 17th Annual DOL Day.
Let me thank Pat Pizzella and the OASAM staff for the wonderful job they've
all done putting this annual event together. And thanks to all the agencies
for sponsoring games and food booths.
Let me especially thank Thomasina McPhail, the DOL Day Committee Chair;
and John Void, Donna Childs, Russell Scott and Akeela Jones, the Committee
Co-Chairs. And I want to thank the Job Corps for their work preparing some
special treats. You've all done a terrific job.
And let me welcome Cameron Ballantyne, spokesman for the American Red Cross
of the National Capital Area, and Captain Kelly Iglehart, from the Salvation
Army. Thank you for being here with us today.
Traditionally, DOL Day has been a time to celebrate the hard work of all
the Department's employees. And today, we do celebrate your hard work. But
our country has been struck by a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions.
Many of our DOL family working in regional offices in the Gulf Coast have
been affected by this disaster. And I know that some of your family and friends
may have been affected as well. I am gratified to report, however, that all
of our DOL employees in the region have reported in and are safe. Our hearts
go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. We want to help and
we can.
Today's event is a way to keep the New Orleans and Gulf Coast communities—the
residents, first responders and relief workers—in our thoughts. And today's
celebration can actually help.
DOL Day is the first fund-raiser of the year for the many worthy causes
of the Combined Federal Campaign. And you can designate the proceeds from
today's event to be donated to the Red Cross and/or Salvation Army to help
bring shelter and food to the hurricane victims.
Remember, the CFC season began last week—we will kick off the DOL campaign
soon. Through the CFC you can designate contributions to go directly to charities
helping with disaster relief.
And soon, there will also be an opportunity to give cash donations to directly
help DOL employees who may have suffered serious injury, lost family members,
lost homes or whose homes have been damaged. We are working with the Federal
Employee Education and Assistance (FEEA) Fund to set up a special fund just
for DOL employees in need. This organization is a private, non-profit agency,
primarily funded through federal employee contributions during the Combined
Federal Campaign. You'll hear more about this as we work out the details.
So, today, let's keep the great American city of New Orleans and our fellow
citizens in the Gulf Coast in our thoughts. There's something for everyone
to enjoy!
Thank you, everyone, for coming. Have a great day!
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