Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao
Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
Remarks Prepared for Delivery By
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
SOAFO 16th Annual Dinner and Scholarship Awards Night
Flushing, New York
Friday, May 18, 2007
Thank you, Special Agent Cheung. Let me also thank the Board of the Society of Asian Federal Officers for this recognition.
It's nice to see so many Asian Pacific American law enforcement professionals gathered here.
I'm pleased to acknowledge the special presence of Marjorie Franzman, the Special Agent in Charge of Organized Labor, Racketeering, and Fraud Investigations (OLRFI) for the New York and Boston regions.
This evening, please allow me to share some thoughts on the state of our nation's economy, the competitiveness of America's workforce and the work that your members do.
First, the economy. Despite rising energy prices and a bumpy housing market, the fundamentals of our economy remain positive. Job growth is healthy and wages are rising.
Our country's unemployment rate remains low at 4.5 percent. That's more than a full percentage point lower than the average 5.7 percent unemployment rate of the 1990s. You can contrast this with Europe, where two countries, in particular — France and Germany — have unemployment rates nearly double that of the United States. And their long-term unemployment is three times higher than the United States.
Our economy has created about 7.9 million net new jobs since August 2003. That's more jobs than Eurozone countries and Japan combined have created.
America's workers are among the most productive of any major industrialized economy. And productivity growth in recent years is translating into higher wages and a higher standard of living.
America's workforce is characterized by its flexibility and mobility.
But there are challenges. Our country is evolving into a knowledge based-economy. Two-thirds of all the new jobs being created require post-secondary education. These jobs require more creativity and critical thinking. And workers with more knowledge, skills, and creativity are in greater demand.
Law enforcement, like the rest of the economy, is becoming a highly skilled occupation in which additional education is needed. For example, government investigations into fraud often deal with detailed financial data. So law enforcement provides excellent opportunities for those with technical skills and financial expertise. And as America becomes more diverse, there is a greater need — especially in law enforcement — for bilingual officers who are attuned to cultural sensitivities.
As of September 2004 (the latest data available), federal agencies employed about 106,000 full-time personnel authorized to make arrests and carry firearms. Of federal officers, 16.1 percent were women and 33.2 percent were members of a racial or ethnic minority, including Asian Pacific Americans.
Federal officers guard the homeland and its interests with courage and determination in just about every federal facility and in all dealings within the federal government's broad jurisdiction. They work in a variety of agencies protecting the safety and transparency of America.
Law enforcement is not merely a job, it is a calling: a calling that requires a strong sense of patriotism, a commitment to duty, and unquestionable integrity and honor. This profession requires leaders who can inspire trust and confidence.
The members of this Society have answered the call to serve. You have responded to a need to protect our country from terrorism, defend our borders, and contribute to the order and harmony of our society. Your service, in particular, sends a message of equality and fairness in the enforcement of our nation's laws.
Tonight, this Society is once again helping others recognize and appreciate the important contributions that law enforcement officers make to maintaining civil society in America.
I've heard that many of your members aspire to advance to leadership positions in federal law enforcement. I share your aspiration.
I don't know your field well, but I've researched the topic by asking the most respected and accomplished law enforcement officials in Washington. And I interact every day with highly experienced, skilled law enforcement officers working for the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Labor and other Government agencies. Their dedication to serving our country is an inspiration.
As federal officers you have already demonstrated the courage and commitment that are cornerstones of advancement.
As we know, federal officers seeking advancement also undergo many kinds of tests based on merit and aptitude. I've been told that law enforcement supervisors have a strong knowledge of the law, so it is important to learn to study on one's own.
In many agencies, there are quarterly and annual tests in subjects ranging from firearms, to CPR, to familiarity with chemical and biological weapons. So, as in every profession, it is important to continually upgrade one's knowledge and skills in order to advance.
Then, there are personal qualities to develop: for example, being flexible and able to think on your feet. This means putting technical knowledge into layman's terms, and being able to consider the human factor. I've been told that good people skills are important at every level of a law enforcement career. They are essential for investigative work and for diffusing potentially dangerous situations.
I've also heard that good writing skills are critical to advancing from the journeyman level of law enforcement to senior management positions. Senior level management positions in law enforcement are highly competitive. And one of the tools that managers may use to select from a group equally qualified candidates, is how well a candidate expresses him or herself in writing. That's especially true if the members of a review panel scoring candidates for a supervisory position don't know the candidate personally. Though it is most critical when advancing to supervisory positions, good writing is a skill that supervisors look for early on.
A familiarity with other cultures is also in demand in our increasingly diverse country. Bicultural officers can be especially helpful in building bridges of understanding between immigrant communities and mainstream American institutions, such as the courts and law enforcement. This skill is invaluable in maintaining civil society. An officer who finds the right balance will always be a valued officer, an effective manager in his or her organization, and an inspiring recruiter in the community. So the trends are in your favor.
In the next ten years, 60 percent of the federal workforce will be eligible for retirement. This upcoming wave of retirements presents a tremendous opportunity for those who are interested in serving their country. There are more than 20,000 job opportunities listed on the federal employment Web site: www.USAJOBS.gov. We hope you will visit this website and help us spread the word in the community about these great opportunities available in the federal government.
Americans of Asian descent have much to be proud of — our cultural heritage has contributed so much to this country. And, we should be confident in who we are as we advance.
Finally, let me touch upon an issue that concerns us all. There are 11 to 12 million people living in the shadows who are undocumented. Back in April, President Bush visited Arizona and spoke about immigration reform. Just as he did in his State of the Union in January, the President called for a serious, civil and conclusive debate on this issue.
The President spoke about the need for comprehensive legislation that addresses all elements of this complex issue. The first important element is securing our border against terrorism and drug trafficking. Another is providing a realistic and effective temporary worker program for workers and employers. And the legislation the President envisioned would also give the undocumented an opportunity to come in out of the shadows. Those who demonstrate good citizenship could enter into the immigration process in a way that is fair to those at the front of the line. Importantly, these men, women and children of good character would benefit from the protection of the law after years of contributing to society.
President Bush recently reminded us that immigration is a matter of national interest and a matter of deep conviction for him. As Governor of Texas, he used to say that family values did not stop at the Rio Grande. He wants the border open to trade and closed to people who prey on innocent human life. And he wants the U.S. to honor its historic role as a beacon of hope and opportunity.
Yesterday, the Administration and a bipartisan group of Senators reached an agreement on an immigration reform bill. The proposal aims to ensure the integrity of our nation's borders. It addresses the needs of our economy by allowing those who are here illegally to come out of the shadows and obtain legal status. The proposal also creates a temporary worker program for future workers.
Many people have waited years, and in some cases decades, to receive their green cards. This proposal aims to clear out the backlog of green card applications within eight years. It will also increase the number of H1-B visas from 65,000 to 115,000. And, under this proposal, to meet the needs of our workforce, the future immigration system will place greater weight on education and skills in prioritizing green card recipients.
Future green card applicants will be awarded points on the basis of education and skills, including training in science, technology, health occupations and other skills in greater demand. Those with family ties in the United States will be awarded additional points. This emphasis on higher skilled workers should help the Asian Pacific American community, which has a high rate of educational and professional achievement.
Let me note that yesterday's announcement is not the end, but the beginning of the process of reaching consensus on this important issue. Next week, the proposal will be debated in the U.S. Senate and many amendments will be offered. Then it will be sent to the U.S. House of Representatives, where the same process will take place. There will be future opportunities to offer input and shape the final legislation.
Congratulations to tonight's awardees and scholarship recipients, and to the Society of Asian Federal Officers on their 16th gala. Thank you for what you do every day to keep our communities and country safe, secure and just.
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Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
