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OPA News Release: [11/09/2004]
Contact Name: Jane Norris / Eryn Witcher
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 / 202-693-5051
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Salutes the Nation's Veterans
For Service and Sacrifices throughout Nation's History
Value Veterans Bring to the Workplace This Year’s Theme
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao praised America's veterans for serving with courage and honor throughout America's history, including in the current War on Terror, in a ceremony today at the Frances Perkins Building in observance of this weeks commemoration of Veterans Day. The theme of this year's Veteran's Day celebration was “Recognizing the Value Veterans Bring to the Workforce.”
“A wartime Veterans Day is an especially poignant occasion,” said Chao. “Today we honor all who have served and pay tribute to the brave men and women who at this very moment are fighting for America and freedom around the world.”
“This partnership expands upon the important service ANCOR provides to help its members understand employer requirements under the laws designed to protect all of our nation’s workers,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “It also furthers DOL’s goals of ensuring fair, safe and healthy work environments including those for workers with disabilities.”
During her remarks, Secretary Chao highlighted the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service for its accomplishments in support of the President's National Hire Veterans Committee. The campaign is designed to raise awareness among employers of the tremendous skills and talents that veterans bring to the workplace.
“It's vitally important that employers be aware of this pool of highly skilled and dedicated workers,” said Chao. “Nearly 2.4 million new jobs have been created since August 2003. Many of these jobs require advanced skills and there is no better reservoir of talent and training than America's veterans.”
The Secretary of Labor has annually hosted an official Veterans Day commemoration for more than 20 years. In addition to remarks by Chao, the one-hour program this year included an invocation; the National Anthem and other patriotic songs; a keynote address by Robert Wallace, executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; and closing remarks by Frederico Juarbe, Jr., assistant secretary of labor for veterans' employment and training.
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