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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Combined Federal Campaign Closing
Event
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Thank you, and good morning everyone! I would like to begin by
congratulating Pat [Pizzella, Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Administration and Management] and his team for the great job they've done
this year.
I would like to thank, in particular, Thomasina McPhail, CFC Campaign
Manager, Donna Childs, who served as Co-Campaign Manager, and each and every
one of the CFC Coordinators. This is a tremendous undertaking each year, and we
thank you for your dedication and your commitment.
And I would like to welcome Tony DeCristofaro, Director of the National
Capital Area CFC. Tony, thank you for joining us today.
Each year, I am so impressed — so amazed — by the amount of
money raised through the Combined Federal Campaign. And yet, once again, I am
here delivering the same news as last year: We have not only exceeded our goal,
but we have raised more money than ever before!
I am thrilled to report that the Department exceeded its 2005 CFC
contribution goal, which was $950,000. In fact, the National Office alone
raised $1,037,645. That's a tremendous accomplishment!
In addition, our regional offices across the country contributed
$489,961 this year. And, once again, more than half of all DOL employees
participated in the Campaign, with an average donation of $200 per person.
Because of you, the Department qualified for two very special awards:
The Million Dollar Circle Award — for raising over $1 million in
contributions. And the Leadership Award-for achieving an increase of two
percent over our 2004 CFC results.
As former President and CEO of the United Way of America, I know how
much these campaigns mean in the real world. Just months ago, people in the
Gulf Region were displaced from their homes, their jobs, and their communities
by devastating hurricanes.
And there is still much to be done — not only for the survivors of
the hurricanes, but for communities throughout the nation. The Combined Federal
Campaign responds to these needs year after year.
Thanks in part to your generous contributions and assistance, these
people — strangers you may never meet — can hope for a better life,
and for a better future.
You are making a real, tangible difference when you contribute to a
charity, and I would like to thank all of you for being everyday heroes!
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