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Prepared Remarks for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Combined Federal Campaign Closing Event
U.S. Department of Labor
Washington, D.C.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Thank you, Shelby [Shelby Hallmark, Director of the Office of Workers Compensation Programs]. Good afternoon everyone! I would like to begin by congratulating Assistant Secretary Vicki Lipnic and her team for the great job they've done this year with the Combined Federal Campaign. Vicki can't be here today, and I thank Shelby for filling in at the last minute.
I would like to thank as well 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.
Each year, I am so impressed by the amount of money raised through the Combined Federal Campaign. And 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's national office raised a total of $1,073,990. We exceeded our goal by almost $124,000! That's a tremendous accomplishment! And we will shortly single out 22 agencies within the Department for their levels of generosity.
In addition, DOL regional offices across the country contributed $610,700.
The Department can be proud of 179 Eagle donors and 49 Double Eagles. Eagles contribute 1 percent of their paychecks each pay period, while Double Eagles contribute 2 percent. This shows noteworthy dedication.
Because of all your efforts, the Department qualified for two very special awards: The Million Dollar Circle Award — for raising over $1 million in contributions, and the Summit Award — for achieving an increase of 3 percent over our 2005 CFC results.
As former President and CEO of the United Way of America, I know how much these campaigns mean in the real world. People throughout the nation need our support — kids who need tutoring, the elderly who require assistance at home, the mentally ill, just to name a few of the hundreds of worthy causes supported by the CFC.
Thanks in part to your generous contributions and assistance, these people can hope for a better life, and for a better future.
The story the numbers themselves tell is amazing. Behind those numbers are the caring hearts of DOL employees, who help make America a generous society aiding those in need. You who showed such generosity became shining stars in people's lives, even strangers' lives.
I would like to thank all of you for your individual efforts that produced these mighty numbers!
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