Remarks by Labor Secretary Elaine Chao to Paralyzed Veterans of America (As Released by the Department of Labor)
REMARKS BY LABOR SECRETARY ELAINE CHAO TO PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA (AS RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR)
SEC. CHAO: Thank you, Norm, for this recognition.
And thank you to the Paralyzed Veterans of America for this award and for all you do on behalf of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease.
I want to note the recent passing of Associate Director for Health Policy, Harley Thomas. Harley is a tremendous advocate for veterans and people with disabilities. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
The U.S. military is the finest and most capable in the world. And its greatest assets are its people. More than 43 million Americans have answered the call to defend our freedom during our nation's history. And currently, more than 165,000 are fighting in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As President Bush said during his visit last week to the al Asad airfield in Iraq's Anbar Province, we are making real progress in that region. And the brave men and women of our U.S. military deserve much of the credit for this success.
Our servicemen and women have made tremendous sacrifices towards this worthy cause. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, and others have suffered serious, permanent injuries. No one knows this better than the members of this organization. And it is also important to recognize that the families and loved ones of these individuals have made equally great sacrifices, as well.
Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen and women, and Marine Mariners proudly answer their nation's call to service and they -- and their loved ones -- quietly accept the sacrifices required of them. We owe all of them a debt of gratitude.
As Secretary of Labor, I am committed to promoting and protecting the employment rights of our service members and veterans. In December 2005, I announced the first-ever regulations implementing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 -- known as USERRA. These regulations have helped clarify the law and improve enforcement.
Each year, over 318,000 military members return to civilian status -- either through retirement, voluntary separation, or as a result of a discharge due to disability. And, the Department of Labor helps these individuals transition into the civilian sector by providing a variety of job placement and employment assistance services.
The Department's HireVetsFirst campaign has helped employers appreciate the value of hiring veterans. Our men and women in uniform are known for their intelligence, strong work ethic, discipline, and leadership. They have the highly marketable professional qualities that employers are looking for.
We're also helping veterans through our REALifelines initiative. This program is making a tremendous difference in the lives of our wounded and injured service members. REALifelines provides one-on-one job training, counseling, and re-employment services to seriously wounded and injured service members who cannot return to active duty. REALifelines has helped numerous men and women build new and rewarding careers in the private sector.
The men and women who serve in our U.S. Armed Forces are the guarantors of our freedom and preserve our way of life. Our country is a better and safer place because of them. We owe each of them -- and their loved ones -- a debt of gratitude. America's veterans were there for all of us. And now it's our turn to be there for them by providing the training, education, and services that can help them find new careers.
Again, on behalf of my colleagues at the U.S. Department of Labor -- especially Assistant Secretary of Veterans Employment and Training Services, Chick Ciccolella, who's here tonight with his wife, Donna -- thank you for this award which will spur us to continue to do more for paralyzed veterans of America.
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