|
 Printer-Friendly Version
OPA News Release: [08/01/2005]
Contact Name: Kristin Wilson
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 05-1463-ATL
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Delivers
Keynote Address to Southern Legislative Conference
MOBILE, Ala. — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
delivered the keynote address at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Southern
Legislative Conference (SLC) in Mobile, Alabama. In remarks at the opening
plenary session, the Secretary commended the southern region “for its emphasis
on economic development and for leveraging the workforce investment system
to bring high quality, good paying jobs to workers.” Chao was joined at the
conference by Alabama Governor Bob Riley.
Discussing the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing workforce,
Secretary Chao praised the SLC for its efforts to bring new jobs to Southern
states. The President's reforms to modernize the publicly-funded workforce
investment system were also highlighted in the Secretary's remarks.
“The President's reforms increase the flexibility and accountability of
the public workforce investment system, making it more responsive to local
employers, workers and officials,” Chao said. “The goal is to transform the
workforce investment system from a social services model to an economic development
tool that will help you attract new jobs to your states.”
Secretary Chao praised the Southern Legislative Conference for their efforts
on behalf of both today's workers and the large contingent of retirees relocating
to southern states, referring to the SLC as a lifeline for both groups.
The Southern Legislative Conference represents 16 Southern states, and was
established in 1947 as the Southern regional component of the Council of
State Governments to encourage intergovernmental cooperation.
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
