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OPA News Release: [06/17/2005]
Contact Name:
Stephanie Cathcart
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number:
05-1086-NEW
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Christens Largest
U.S.-Flagged Cruise Ship
"Pride of America" Will Employ Thousands of
American Workers
NEW YORK-U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao gave the keynote
address and christened the Pride of America in a ceremony June 17 in New York
City.
Pride of America, the largest U.S.-flagged cruise ship ever built, will
employ a crew made up entirely of American workers. As godmother to the Pride
of America, Secretary Chao not only christened but also named the new cruise
ship.
"The Pride of America is the first newly-constructed oceangoing
U.S.-flagged cruise ship in 50 years," Secretary Chao said. "It will provide
thousands of jobs for American workers."
Pride of America and Pride of Aloha will be joined next year by the
Pride of Hawaii. These three ships will employ nearly 4,000 American seafarers.
Pride of America has been designed to reflect its "Best of America"
theme, honoring the country's rich history, culture and unity, including stars
and stripes hull artwork, a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge and a
theater reminiscent of old Hollywood. She will join the Pride of Aloha in July
after sailing from New York to Miami, through the Panama Canal, to San
Francisco and across the Pacific to her new home in Hawaii.
Secretary Chao is the nation's 24th Secretary of Labor. Since her
confirmation by the United States Senate on January 29, 2001, she has dedicated
herself to ensuring that America's workforce is safe, secure and competitive.
She has also served in the government as deputy secretary of the U.S.
Department of Transportation, chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and
deputy maritime administrator.
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