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November 13, 2006    DOL Home > Newsroom > News Releases   

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VETS News Release: [11/02/2006]
Contact Name: Mike Biddle
Phone Number: 202-693-5051
Release Number: 06-1914-NAT

Labor Department “Salute to Veterans” Highlights U.S. Soldiers’ Achievements, Veterans’ Employability

“They Are the Best and Brightest Our Country Has to Offer”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today hosted the Labor Department’s annual Salute to Veterans, recognizing veterans for their contributions in the War on Terror as well as the value they bring to America’s workforce.

“This morning we honor the outstanding men and women who have served in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves,” said Secretary Chao. “They are the best and brightest our country has to offer.”

More than 43 million Americans have answered the call to defend America’s freedom since its inception, she noted, and today more than 165,000 are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Turning to veterans’ contributions in the workplace, Secretary Chao cited the department’s HireVetsFirst campaign, which has helped employers appreciate the value of hiring veterans. The Secretary also observed that the department will hold the first-ever National Veterans Employment Summit on Nov. 9 during which 65 companies will participate at a HireVetsFirst job fair.

“Our men and women in uniform are known for their intelligence, strong work ethic, discipline and leadership,” she said. “They have the highly marketable professional qualities that employers are looking for.”

Secretary Chao also pointed to recent improvements in enforcing the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, known as USERRA. Last year, the department published the first-ever regulations implementing and clarifying that law, which protects the jobs and benefits of citizen-soldiers while they are on active duty. As a result of this and other department efforts, there has been a significant reduction in the rate of employment-related complaints from returning members of the Reserve and National Guard – down 31 percent since the Gulf War.

“The United States military’s greatest asset is its people,” said Secretary Chao. “These men and women proudly answer their nation’s call to service – and quietly accept the sacrifices required of them. They are there for us; we need to be there for them.”

For more information on the department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, which manages the programs that help veterans find jobs and enforces USERRA, visit www.dol.gov/vets/.

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