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Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.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
Council on Competitiveness
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thank you, Chad, [Charles O. Holliday, Jr., Chairman, CEO, DuPont; Chairman, Council on Competitiveness] for that kind introduction and thank you all for this award.
Let me also recognize my Cabinet colleague, Carlos Gutierrez.
Long before competitiveness became a front page issue, Deborah Wince-Smith was raising awareness about this issue among employers, workers, unions, education providers and other stakeholders. Deborah and the Council are valued partners.
As the first Secretary of Labor in the 21st century, one of my highest priorities has been to ensure the competitiveness of America's workforce.
Two pillars of our country's competitiveness are the flexibility and productivity of our nation's workforce. And during these challenging economic times, it's helpful to remember that these qualities are still in place. It is critical to our country's economic future that our workforce has the tools it needs to continually update its skills. And that workplace regulations continue to support growth, job creation and labor market flexibility.
Significant progress in that direction has been made over the last eight years. As you have heard, the Department launched three high-level initiatives to bring employers, workers, unions and education providers together to increase access to high quality skills training for workers. And the Department achieved record enforcement results for workers, especially in health and safety, without harming the workforce flexibility that is one of our country's most important competitive advantages. But there is always more that can be done. And organizations like the Council remind us to bring the major stakeholders together to support the key policy goal of competitiveness.
Our country is undergoing some economic challenges right now. Our country, throughout its history, has an exceptional record of successfully adapting to change, overcoming challenges and emerging better and stronger than ever.
We've just had a national election in which a tremendous number of Americans turned out to vote for our next leader. Regardless of who we supported, it is time for our country to come together and work toward ensuring a future in which America will continue to be competitive in the worldwide economy. The next Administration needs to continue to foster flexibility, risk-taking, and innovation so that our country will continue to lead the way in creating hope, jobs, and opportunity.
So thank you again for this award.
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Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
