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OPA News Release: [02/03/2005]
Contact Name: Dirk Fillpot or Beto Gonzalez
Phone Number: 202-693-4676
Release Number: 05-0192-NAT

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Keynotes Latina Style Magazine's 50 Best Companies Award Ceremony

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao was the keynote speaker today at LATINA Style Magazine's 50 Best Employers award ceremony. Secretary Chao's remarks celebrated the unique talents Latinas bring to the workforce and praised the employers who provide the greatest opportunities to Latinas.

“America has a tremendous stake in ensuring that Hispanic Americans have access to the full array of opportunities that our country offers,” said Secretary Chao. “By giving Latinas equal access to opportunity, the employers we are recognizing today help them achieve their dreams and make our country stronger.”

LATINA Style Magazine honors employers who reach out to the Hispanic community and invest in their workers.

Secretary Chao observed that the Hispanic community is one of the fastest growing segments of our nation's population. In less than a century, more than one-third of America 's population will be of Hispanic heritage.

During the ceremony, Secretary Chao also lauded LATINA Style magazine for sponsoring the awards: “Your work has empowered thousands of Latinas and raised the profile of working Latinas throughout this nation.”

The Labor Department is making its programs and protections accessible to those with limited English proficiency and has made record progress in protecting immigrant Americans by focusing much of its compliance effort on industries employing the most vulnerable workers. In addition to its Hispanic Worker Initiative to prepare Latinas for jobs with solid career paths, the department has established a Hispanic Workers Task Force dedicated to improving outreach and preventing fatalities among Hispanic workers. Training grants totaling $4.7 million have gone to Esperanza USA and the Latino Coalition to train Hispanic youth for good jobs. For additional information, visit www.dol.gov.

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