Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao

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Remarks Delivered by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Model Employer Event
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Thank you, Chick [Ciccolella, Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor].

I want to thank Dr. Chu [David S.C. Chu, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness] and Secretary Hall [Thomas F. Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs] for participating in this event today, and for all you do to support our veterans, National Guard and Reserves.

Let me also thank Major General Wherley [MG David F. Wherley, Jr., Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard] for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Pamela Langley [Deputy Director, Operations and Programs, VETS, U.S. Department of Labor; Master Sergeant, U.S. Army Reserves] for that lovely rendition of the national anthem.

I want to also thank the Color Guard of the D.C. National Guard. We always appreciate their service.

I would like to thank General Hollingsworth [Bobby G. Hollingsworth, Executive Director, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve] and the leadership and members of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for spearheading this initiative.

At the Department of Labor, we are proud to have more than 3,200 veterans, Reservists and National Guard members working in our ranks. More than 300 men and women nationwide at the Department of Labor are actively serving in the Guard and Reserves. Some of them are with us today. Please stand so we know who you are.

More than 80 of our citizen-soldiers throughout the Department have been mobilized in the war on terror. They have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and other faraway places in support of the war on terror.

We also are very proud of our active duty soldiers and our veterans for the sacrifices they — and their families — have made to defend and promote freedom and democracy. That's why it's so important we are there for them when they return.

The Federal government is the largest employer of veterans. One in every four employees in the government is a veteran! The Federal government is also a Model Employer in its support of our citizen-soldiers, the National Guard and Reserves.

Last October, I signed this Statement of Support with the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). It is an honor to have been the first non-defense member of the President's Cabinet to sign the Statement of Support for our citizen-soldiers.

Let me also mention that this Statement of Support is the first document in U.S. history that has been signed by all the members of the President's Cabinet in support of the National Guard and Reserves.

This document is a historic and sweeping pledge to support our Guard and Reserve. Not only during recent deployments, but also in the training that prepares them to answer the nation's call at a moment's notice.

This is an important point for employers to appreciate. The role of our National Guard and Reserve in securing our country's defense is essential. But it is impossible for them to do their job without the support of their employers.

While the Department of Labor is committed to taking care of its own, it is also in the unique position of helping all veterans transition to the civilian workforce. And so, I'd like to highlight a few things the Department is doing to help.

In December, I announced the first-ever regulations implementing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 — known as USERRA. This legislation protects the jobs, health insurance and pension benefits of our nation's citizen-soldiers and others in the uniformed services. And these regulations provide clear guidance. Now veterans will know their employment and reemployment rights and employers will know their responsibilities to our citizen-soldiers.

These regulations are written in plain English, in an easy-to-read question-and-answer format. And they are available on the Department's Web site at: www.dol.gov/vets.

Many of our soldiers will need to find jobs when they separate from the service. So, last fall, I was joined by former U.S. Senator Bob Dole to kick off the Hire Vets First campaign. Employers are always seeking to recruit the best and brightest to ensure the success of their organizations. And some of our nation's best and brightest are easy to spot, they wear a military uniform. So, when an employer is looking to find the right person for the job, we want them to think of the motto: "Hire Vets First." The skills, commitment and loyalty of our veterans add so much to our nation's workforce!

And finally, I recently announced 91 grants, totaling nearly $26 million, to provide veterans with job training. These grants will help nearly 17,000 veterans access the training and services they need to get good-paying jobs in our nation's workforce. I encourage all employers to join the Federal Government in pledging their commitment to their employees who continue to serve.

We are proud of our men and women serving in the military. And we are proud to serve them when they return from duty.

May God bless you and may God bless America.

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