U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
Remarks as Prepared
Sixth Annual Unsung Heroine Awards
Washington,
D.C.
March 5, 2003
Thank you, Bonnie [Erbe, Host of “To The Contrary”].
I want to thank the Mitsubishi Motors USA Foundation and “To The Contrary” for inviting Senator McConnell and me to be here for this very special presentation.
For many years, we’ve been proud to call Cathy Bailey a friend. Her boundless energy, compassion and commitment to help those in need have transformed many lives.
Mother Theresa reminded us that there is a terrible hunger for love in our world and that we must have the courage to recognize it. She called us to find the lonely and lost… and to love them… by putting our love for others into living action.
When I think of “putting love into living action” I think of Cathy and her wonderful husband Irv, who started Operation Open Arms.
Cathy learned from friends about a hole in the social services fabric through which fell the children of incarcerated mothers. They had committed no offense. Yet they endured a prison of their own… of neglect, loneliness and instability. Cathy was deeply moved by their plight. She put her love into action by starting a caring network to help meet the needs of these children.
So I want to congratulate you, Cathy, for the wonderful work you are doing on behalf of others. Kentucky is proud of you, and Mitch and I are so pleased to have the opportunity to present you with this well-deserved award.
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Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
