U.S. Senator for Alaska, Mark Begich

The U.S. Department of Education administers most Federal assistance and implements policy for education.

For additional information, please visit the agency website at www.ed.gov

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. HHS includes more than 300 programs, with a wide spectrum of activities, which include health and social science research, preventing disease, immunization services, assuring food and drug safety, Medicare, and numerous others.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.hhs.gov/.

The Department of Commerce provides a comprehensive vision for improving the economic growth of the nation through its programs.

The strategic goals of the department are to provide the information and tools to maximize U.S. competitiveness and enable economic growth for American industries, workers, and consumers; to foster science and technological leadership by protecting intellectual property, enhancing technical standards, and advancing measurement science; to observe, protect, and manage the earth's resources to promote environmental stewardship; and to achieve organizational management excellence.

For additional information, visit the agency's website www.commerce.gov

The United States Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of the United States. The Department is responsible for war fighting, humanitarian needs, peacekeeping, evacuation, and homeland security. There are six military units within the Department of Defense, which include the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Guard & Reserve.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.defenselink.mil.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for providing federal benefits to our veterans and their dependents. It is responsible for providing compensation for veterans, spouses, survivors, and dependents. The VA administers medical care, education and training, home loan assistance, and VA National Cemeteries. The goal of the VA is to provide excellence in patient care, veterans' benefits and customer satisfaction. They have reformed their department internally and are striving for high quality, prompt and seamless service to veterans.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.va.gov.

The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the Untied States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers' rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.dol.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) serves to protect the soil, water, forests, and other natural resources through rural development, credit and conservation programs.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.usda.gov.

The Department of Homeland Security leads the unified national effort to secure America, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free flow of commerce.

For additional information about the department, please visit their website at www.dhs.gov.

The Department of State represents and protects U.S. interests around the world. The agency issues passports and assists Americans with travel abroad. Its Web site travel.state.gov provides travel safety announcements and explains entry requirements and services available to Americans living or traveling abroad.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.state.gov.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strives to protect human health and the environment. The EPA leads the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts by developing and enforcing regulations, offering financial assistance, performing environmental research, sponsoring voluntary partnerships and programs, furthering environmental education, and publishing information.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.epa.gov.

In 1937, the first steps were made in establishing the Department of Housing and Urban Development with the passing of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. The Department of Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 created HUD as a Cabinet-level agency. The HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

For additional information, visit the agency's website at www.hud.gov.