DHHS Secretary Mike Leavitt kicks off the CFC - Audio Description
Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for joining us today. I would like to acknowledge Kerry Weems for his vice-chairmanship this year and also Vanessa Flint for all the work you are going to be doing on all of our behalf. Thank you.
Often this has been said this is the Department of Compassion in the federal government. I believe that. I see it everyday. I suspect it isn’t a surprise then to know we’ve been quite successful in year’s past in this campaign. In fact for eight years in a row our department has been the number one contributor, and I want to keep it that way. (applause)
This year our goal is collectively $4.4 million dollars, and we have historically not just met our goal but we have surpassed our goal. And this morning I’m interested in leading all of you by signing my pledge card in your presence and asking that you do the same and encourage others to do the same. May I just, before doing that, acknowledge an observation. In the past month we have seen disasters spread across this country in the form of hurricanes and tornados and other weather-related events. It has been part of my duties as Secretary to be in those theaters and actually observing and witnessing the remarkable work of volunteers from throughout the country who have come to the aid of those in need. I’ve been in federal medical shelters throughout Texas and throughout Louisiana. . . as I have in times past. . . in many, many other states. One of the things that strikes me each time in the face of disaster how happy people are who are giving of themselves during those moments. There is general sense of almost euphoric joy that comes not from those who are in need, but those who are serving them. And I’ve come to believe that’s part of the reward for giving of ourselves.
My mother has often said to me, “We get our self-esteem from the people we serve,” and I believe that. Now helping on this campaign is just one way of serving, but today I would like to ask that we not just sign our pledge card but that we begin to look at some of the 3500 organizations that are represented here. And not just give some of our wallet, but give some of our will. Let’s reach out and find a way to give of ourselves. We’ll not only strengthen the fabric of this country, but we’ll make ourselves better people and find a real sense of joy in doing it. Thank you for joining me. I want to end by reminding you of a quote by Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
Thank you.
