As prepared for delivery. The speaker may add or subtract comments during his presentation.

Thank you for that kind introduction. It's a pleasure to join you for the FTC kickoff of the 2017 Combined Federal Campaign on this special "show some love" day!

I want to extend special thanks to Chairman Ohlhausen and the rest of the FTC leadership for your support of CFC.

I also want to acknowledge and thank your entire campaign team, from your vice chair, to your campaign coordinators to your campaign managers and all the key workers. You are the pulse of the campaign! Your enthusiastic grassroots outreach connects your employees and CFC charities to wonderful opportunities to improve our nation.

The FTC has a long history of generosity and strong support of the CFC. Over the last three years, you raised 680,000 dollars! In 2016, your participation rate was 24 percent of all employees at an average gift of about 240 dollars. With that impressive starting point, I'm sure your results this year will be even better.

It has been a privilege to be named the Honorary Chairperson of this year's Combined Federal Campaign-the world's largest annual workplace charity drive.

It is a fitting vehicle for the love and goodwill I see every day in my team at HUD, and across so many federal agencies like the FTC.

Thousands of federal employees come to government to take part in its great mission to protect and defend the rights and general welfare of their countrymen.

As important as that mission is, and as joyfully as we embrace it, we cannot forget that private charity is the first foundation of social improvement in America.

According to Giving USA, an organization which tracks philanthropy in the United States, last year American individuals, estates, foundations, and corporations contributed about $390 billion to charitable causes.

It is clear that no government program can replace the generous heart of the American people.

And so we give of ourselves. Not merely in our careers, but in our personal action. In our donations, and in our volunteering.

We do this to set an example to each other and our neighbors whom we serve.

But most importantly, we do it for its own sake. For though the saying is old, it is no less true: generosity is its own reward.

This year, we have several new features and tools to make it easier than ever for you to reach your campaign goals.

There is a new, streamlined web-based giving portal for increased efficiency.

For expanded charity access to more potential donors, retirees can now donate to CFC charities through their annuities.

And for added participation opportunities, you can volunteer your time to charities through CFC.

This year's theme is once again to "Show Some Love" to our fellow Americans through these great institutions.

So whether we march our dimes or race for a cure; form a corps for peace, an army for salvation, or support our own military veterans and their families; whether we protect the young, care for the elderly, or promote the sanctity of every human life—there are organizations which can use our help for a thousand good causes.

I encourage everyone in government to consider finding one close to their heart, and giving what they can to make our country, and the world, a better place.

Thank you.

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