The United States Department of Labor Home Page, Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao

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November 17, 2004

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Secretary Chao Salutes the Nation's Veterans

(From left) Secretary Chao; Robert Wallace, Executive Director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States; Major General David Wherley, Jr., Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard; and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans Employment and Training Frederico Juarbe, Jr. salute the flag during ceremonies at the Department of Labor in observance of Veterans Day. (DOL Photo/Neshan H. Naltchayan)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9—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 at the Frances Perkins Building in observance of this weeks commemoration of Veterans Day. The theme of this year's Veterans Day celebration was "Recognizing the Value Veterans Bring to the Workforce."

"A wartime Veterans Day is an especially poignant occasion," said Secretary 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."

Read the news release.
Read Secretary Chao's remarks.
Read about the DOL's new recovery and remployment initiative for injured and wounded veterans.
Read about DOL's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS).
Read President George W. Bush's Veterans Day Proclamation.

"Getting people back to work is what this Department does. Giving people hope in their future is our job."

— Secretary Elaine L. Chao

Highlights

Latest Numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Consumer Price Index:	+0.2%	Sep 2004
Unemployment Rate:	5.5%	Oct 2004
Payroll Employment:	+337,000(p)	Oct 2004
Average Hourly Earnings:	+$0.05(p)	Oct 2004
Producer Price Index:	+1.7%(p)	Oct 2004
Employment Cost Index:	+0.9%	3rd Qtr 2004
Productivity:	+1.9%	3rd Qtr 2004
U.S. Import Price Index:	+1.5%	Oct 2004
Other DOL Statistics:
Unemployment Initial (UI) Claims:	333,000	Nov 6 2004
UI Claims 4-Week Average:	336,000	Nov 6 2004
Federal Minimum Wage:	$5.15
p — preliminary; c — corrected

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