Seth D. Harris Acting Secretary
United States Department of Labor
Twenty years ago today President Bill Clinton signed the
Family and Medical Leave Act into law. This landmark legislation codified a simple and fundamental principle: workers should not have to choose between the jobs they need and the families they love. The FMLA is enforced by our
Wage and Hour Division.
We will be welcoming former President Clinton to the Frances Perkins Building today at 2:30 pm (EST) for a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the FMLA and to celebrate the important work we continue to do to ensure work-life balance for American families.
Also joining us will be former Sen. Chris Dodd; Rep. Rosa DeLauro; and Tina Tchen executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls and the First Ladys chief of staff. As times have changed the FMLA has kept up. In 2010 recognizing the diverse faces of the modern family the Labor Department issued guidance on the law including coverage of gay parents and relatives that act as parents. And last year First Lady Michelle Obama highlighted efforts to expand the FMLA to meet the unique challenges confronting military families and those who care for our wounded warriors.
Id like to invite you to watch the event live at
www.dol.gov/live. Together with the entire DOL team were commemorating the FMLA − not just its past but its future as well.
