2002 In Focus Archive

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"In Focus" items are up-to-the-minute news about the Secretary of Labor's efforts to strengthen the workforce and the business community.


	December 19, 2002 Volunteering Report Released Fifty-nine million Americans performed volunteer work from September 2001 through September 2002, according to the first survey on volunteerism from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) since 1989.

	December 9, 2002 Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Dave Lauriski Inspects Wyoming Mines Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Dave Lauriski visited the General Chemical Trona mine near Green River, Wyoming, as well as two other Wyoming mines, to inspect safety procedures and to discuss the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s goals to increase safety at mines throughout the United States.

	December 2, 2002 Secretary Addresses National Association of Hispanic Federal Employees Secretary Chao addressed the National Association of Hispanic Federal Employees (NAHFE) on November 20 in Washington, D.C. Read Secretary Chao’s remarks

No Event Photo	November 23, 2002 West Coast Port Settlement Reached Secretary Chao announced the settlement of the West Coast Ports dispute on November 23 by saying: “We are delighted the parties reached this historic agreement during the cooling off period established by President Bush. I commend the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Peter Hurtgen, and both parties for achieving this resolution which is vital to our national economy.” President George W. Bush’s Comments Comments by Peter Hurtgen, Director of the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS) More West Coast Ports Information

	November 18, 2002 Bush Presidential Library Tour Secretary Chao spoke about the 21st Century Workforce on Friday during a visit to the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation at Texas A&M University. Secretary Chao discussed issues with students, met with the former President and First Lady and toured the Presidential Library. Secretary Chao’s Remarks Texas A&M News Article on Secretary Chao's Visit

	November 14, 2002 DOL Salute to Veterans Secretary Chao welcomed Governor Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security, as keynote speaker for DOL's "Salute to Veterans 2002" at the Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building on November 13. The event concluded with an awards ceremony honoring nine organizations and individuals for outstanding efforts in providing employment and training services to veterans.

	October 28, 2002 DOL Hosts Productivity Conference The Department of Labor and the American Enterprise Institute jointly sponsored a conference on productivity in the 21st century Wednesday, October 23, in Washington, D.C. Secretary Chao and Federal Reserve Board of Governors Chairman Alan Greenspan spoke. Secretary Chao's Opening Remarks Productivity Conference Home Page Webcasts

No Event Photo	October 17, 2002 DOL Honors Organizations for Creating Opportunities in the Workplace For their efforts to foster workplace diversity, 11 companies and organizations were honored on October 17 at an annual awards ceremony hosted by the Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). Qualcomm Inc. received the Secretary of Labor’s Opportunity award, OFCCP’s top honor. U.S. Department of Labor Honors Organizations for Creating Opportunities in the Workplace Secretary Chao's Remarks

	October 15, 2002 DOL Unveils DisabilityInfo.gov Secretary Chao unveiled DisabilityInfo.gov, a new Web site for people with disabilities, designed to provide individuals with one-stop access to government disability information and resources as well as updates on the President's New Freedom Initiative.

	October 11, 2002 Labor Hall of Fame Induction Secretary Chao hosted the 14th Annual Induction Ceremony for the Labor Hall of Fame. Inductees included the founder of the United Parcel Service James Casey and former AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland.

	October 7-8, 2002 West Coast Ports Work Stoppage Board of Inquiry Faced with a growing threat to the American economy, President Bush used his statutory authority under the Taft-Hartley Act to convene a Board of Inquiry to examine the work stoppage at the West Coast ports. President's Remarks on West Coast Ports (10/8/02) Report to the President: Submitted by the President's Board of Inquiry on the Work Stoppage in the West Coast Ports Statement by Secretary Chao on President's Appointment of a Board of Inquiry on the West Coast Ports Labor Dispute Board of Inquiry Fact Sheet: President Takes Action to Protect America's Economy and Jobs Executive Order

	September 27, 2002 New ODEP Assistant Secretary Sworn In The first Assistant Secretary for the new Office of Disability Employment Policy, W. Roy Grizzard, was sworn in by Secretary Chao.

	September 26, 2002 Secretary Chao Releases Report on Association Health Plans Association Health Plans (AHPs) can help small businesses lower their administrative costs and receive more favorable treatment form insurers. Other advantages to the use of AHPs are available in this report.

No Event Photo	June 26, 2002 National Youth Summit The National Youth Summit, held June 26-28, 2002, brought together nearly 2,000 participants, including leading policymakers and practitioners, to explore how to further the field of positive youth development.

No Event Photo	February 1, 2002 Members of President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce Announcement Office of the 21st Century Workforce 2001 In Focus Archive