Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Office of Personnel Management Acting Director Dan G. Blair recently convened a meeting on Capitol Hill of top federal human resources officials and labor leaders, while giving Members of Congress a report on fiscal year 2004 activities and accomplishments of the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council.

"The Council and its members have proven to be positive agents for change in driving, leading and implementing the President's initiative to improve the strategic management of human capital throughout government," said Blair. "The Council is working to achieve the President's vision of a government that is citizen-centered, results-oriented and market-based."

Senator Daniel Akaka (Hawaii) attended the Council meeting. He and Senator George Voinovich (Ohio) were the primary co-sponsors of the CHCO Act of 2002, which created the Council. Akaka told the gathering that he has "a passion" for bringing top talent into public service, adding that Congress and the Administration must continue to focus on strategies to replace knowledgeable baby-boomers who soon will begin to retire.

Blair convened the meeting of the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council in the Veterans' Affairs Committee Room to affirm OPM's commitment to America's servicemen and servicewomen who may wish to join the federal civilian service upon discharge from the military. OPM is in the midst of the second phase of the Veterans Invitational Program (VIP), which helps military personnel search for federal jobs and prepare for interviews.

The CHCO report given to Congress provides insight into the "proactive agenda" pursued last year by the Council on the contemporary challenges facing the federal human resources community.

The report highlights the Council's partnership with Veterans Service Organizations in a joint training session at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The session drew attention to President Bush's commitment to veterans and gave servicemen and servicewomen information on Veterans' Preference and federal job opportunities.

The CHCO Council was established in May 2003 and comprises individuals appointed by the heads of 24 Executive departments to advise and coordinate agency human resources activities. Blair assumed the role of Council Chair in February 2005, committed to pursuing a robust agenda, including having members devote significant energies to agency emergency preparedness and continuity of operations in the case of natural or man-made disaster. Other Council activities include efforts to modernize and improve the quality of HR information, and to provide input on legislation affecting HR systems and operations

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