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REMARKS BY:	DONNA E. SHALALA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PLACE:		Combined Federal Campaign Kick Off, Washington, D.C.  
DATE:		Thursday, October 11, 2000

I also want to thank FDA Commissioner Dr. Jane Henney, and Jim Donohue, for the agreeing to lead this year's CFC campaign. They have big shoes to fill. I also want to thank John Callahan, Paul Berry, Rebecca Goldstein, and Pastor Brian McCluran.

I have no doubt that you will find the experience as rewarding as I did last year.

Recently, I enjoyed a rewarding-and memorable-perk when President Clinton asked me to head the U.S. Olympic delegation to Sydney.

While in Australia, I had the privilege of watching our women's track and field team compete against the world's best. What struck me wasn't just the Olympians single minded pursuit for the gold-but their dedication to the team and to each other.their spirit of partnership, their spirit of family.

When reporters asked Marion Jones-one of the true stars of the Sydney-about winning the gold in the 400 meter relay, she didn't talk about her own performance-she quickly credited the victory to the other teammates.

Marion talked about the team. She understood that she didn't do it alone.

It took each member of the team doing her part to bring home the gold. Similarly, it takes each of you-as members of our HHS team-to make the CFC campaign a success.

If we want to cross this finish line, we need each and every one of you. That was certainly my experience last year.

Only by working together.by pulling together.by coming together were we able to raise 3.3 million dollars. Not only was that 300,000 dollars over our goal-it set an HHS record.

I'm proud to have led last year's campaign. But I have no doubt that this year we'll do even better. I have no doubt because HHS employees have always stepped up to the plate when asked.

And I have no doubt because you can always count on HHS employees to extend a helping hand to those who have been left out.left behind.or left on the sidelines in their neighborhoods, their communities, and around the world.

Thanks to all of us at HHS coming together-time and time again-we've created a momentum that has changed the lives of so many people who are struggling.

I'm talking about people like Larry, Don, Lisa, Bonnie and Charlene. They are part of our HHS. They make this campaign real for everyone.

You heard their stories today. You heard how they're fighting cancer; living with diabetes; or coping with HIV/AIDS. And you heard what a difference CFC is making in their lives.what a difference all of you are making in their lives.

That's why I'm challenging all of you today to do your part.to join the CFC winning team.and to help everyone in our communities win life's most important races.

Let's make this year's CFC campaign an even bigger success than last year. As some of you know, our goal this year is 3.12 million dollars. Let's meet and beat that goal.

If you gave five dollars last year-look into your hearts and your wallets and see if you can give ten dollars this year.

If you gave ten dollars last year-look into your hearts and your wallets and see if you can become an "eagle" by pledging one percent of your salary this year.

And if you're already an eagle-then look into your hearts and your wallets and see if you can become a "double eagle" by pledging two percent of your salary this year.

Do it for the people you've heard from today. Do it for the people in your community. Do it for people we don't know. And do it for yourselves.

After all, not one of us is immune from disease or crisis or tragedy. All of us may need a helping hand from time to time. And any one of us may someday be counting on the programs and services supported by CFC.

It does all come back to us.

So when you're asked to give-I know you'll do your best. Because this is an extraordinary department. I hope you'll inspire you co-workers and colleagues to be generous. And I hope you'll all continue to show you're compassion and commitment.

As we begin this year's CFC campaign-let's all pledge to go for the gold.because there's too much at stake to ever settle for the silver.

Thank you.