News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

VETS News Release: [07/21/2006]
Contact Name: Melinda Thielen
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or x5051
Release Number: 06-1262-NAT

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Expresses Appreciation of Nation to New Orleans Active Duty Guard Members

Louisiana Guard “American Ideal of the Citizen-Soldier”

NEW ORLEANS — Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today expressed the nation's heartfelt appreciation during her tour of the Army National Guard's New Orleans Command Center-Jackson Barracks and visit with Guard members on duty in the 5th District of New Orleans.

"The Louisiana Guard is proving the value of the American ideal of the citizen-soldier. Louisiana units have deployed to Iraq to depose a brutal dictator and protect the fledgling democracy. They helped free Afghanistan from the Taliban. Today Guardsmen are helping the police patrol in New Orleans," said Secretary Chao. "The men and women of the Louisiana Guard are a fierce fighting force in the cause of freedom and the best of neighbors in a natural disaster such as last year's devastating hurricanes."

The Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to helping the National Guard by providing health and safety training for workers who are engaged in disaster response, clean-up and rebuilding activities in the hurricane-impacted Gulf States region.

DOL has made it a priority to ensure that those who serve in the National Guard are guaranteed employment and reemployment rights upon their return to civilian life. Through the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the department is able to assist veterans and members of Reserve components by improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding federal government employees to those employees already eligible to receive DOL assistance in processing claims. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/vets.

# # #