Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao@ UAW 2001 Labor Day Picnic with President Bush

Labor Day, September 3, 2001

Thank you, Bill. It's a privilege to celebrate Labor Day with the hard-working men and women of Michigan.

I am grateful to be joining President George W. Bush today. And to visit your state with Governor and First Lady Engler, Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus, and Congressman Hoekstra and Congressman Petri. And I want to thank Larry Brennan for his leadership at the Teamsters Joint Council 43.

A little over a month ago, I spoke at your national convention. I said that we share a common purpose: A desire to build better lives for working Americans.

I've worked with the Teamsters for many years now, in a variety of capacities - beginning with my time at the Department of Transportation, then at the United Way of America, and now as Secretary of Labor. And I will continue to work with you to find common ground for working families.

Today we pay tribute to the generations of men and women who built America - men and women of strong hands, and even stronger hearts.

For over a century, America has celebrated Labor Day. It started in New York City and took root in every big city and small town across the nation. It's a celebration - a time of appreciation - for the contributions of America's working families.

Working families know that America is changing - in the way we work and the way we live.

In response, the Department of Labor is embracing innovative solutions -- new ways of overcoming old obstacles.

The Department is helping families prepare for this new economy. We're providing more effective job training. We're improving the effectiveness of our programs. And we're building partnerships between business and labor, employer and employee. The Department of Labor is preparing people - no matter if they work in a factory or a Fortune 500 - we're preparing people to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy.

We believe that whether someone carries a lunch pail or a briefcase, holds a hammer or a mouse, it is the American worker that makes America work.

President George W. Bush is helping every American lead a life where each day is more promising than the last. While some people are pointing fingers, President George W. Bush is pointing the way - to a stronger, safer America.

He's cut taxes, moved sweeping education reforms through Congress, forged a compromise on the Patient Bill of Rights, and given America the serious energy plan that it needs. These are common-sense solutions that support working families in a changing world.

But some things will never change. You can count on this Administration to protect safe and healthy workplaces, to provide access and opportunities for all, to make sure you receive an honest day's pay for an honest day's work, and to help you have enjoy a safe and secure retirement.

These are the bedrock values that President George W. Bush and I believe in. We are rolling up our sleeves and working side by side with you - to build better lives for working Americans.

We have work to do. But in all of America's challenges, we've always turned to our nation's greatest resource: the hard-working American family. Together we can shape a more promising, more hopeful future for generations to come.

Thank you for all your hard work! Have a wonderful Labor Day