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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber
of Commerce
CelebrAsian 2005 Opening Reception
Washington , D.C.
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Hi everyone—great to see you!
Thank you, Susan [Au Allen]. Congratulations on the 20th anniversary
of this great event!
The U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce is a leader in ensuring that the
doors of opportunity remain open for Asian Pacific Americans.
You are to be commended for the scholarship programs you sponsor for
promising Asian Pacific American young people to give them a lift in life.
Your new workshop on networking this year is a terrific addition.
There is greater awareness that there is more to achieving success in
mainstream America than possessing technical knowledge. Whether a person
works for him or herself, or others, the ability to communicate clearly—verbally
and in writing—and to network effectively are important.
Today, more and more Asian Pacific Americans are making their way as
leaders in just about every field of mainstream America. Asian Americans
have won Nobel prizes in the sciences and the arts. We have done pioneering
research to fight AIDS. And we have designed some of our country's most
acclaimed national monuments and public buildings.
Asian Pacific Americans have formed cutting-edge technology companies.
Asian Pacific American athletes have won gold medals for the United States
in the Olympics. We have Dat Nguyen who shows that Asian Pacific Americans
can play good “ball.”
And Asian Pacific Americans have flown into outer space. What a treat
that Astronaut Leroy Chiao, who just returned from six months in the International
Space Station, will be calling in tonight!!
And Asian Pacific Americans have distinguished themselves in our Armed
Forces, fighting to spread freedom and opportunity around the globe.
These stories demonstrate the breath and depth of the talent that exists
in our community. They are proof that in America, there is no one set
way to succeed. Indeed, there are as many ways to succeed in America as
there are dreams to dream.
President George W. Bush has done so much to reach out to our community.
He wants to ensure that the doors of opportunity remain wide open for
Asian Pacific Americans. He has appointed two Asian Pacific Americans
to the cabinet. And the President has appointed 289 Asian Pacific Americans
to the highest levels of the federal government, including 94 to Presidential
appointments requiring Senate confirmation. That's more than any other
president.
At the Department of Labor, we're doing a number of things to reach out
and continue to strengthen the Asian Pacific American community.
The U.S. Department of Labor has the largest number of Asian Pacific
American appointees in the federal government.
Just yesterday, the Department of Labor hosted its fourth annual Asian
Pacific American Federal Career Advancement Summit. These Summits help
Asian Pacific Americans acquire the skills to advance to senior management
positions in the federal government.
The Department has also established a summer internship program to nurture
the next generation of leaders in the Asian Pacific American—and other—communities.
The Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly employment report
now includes—for the first time—specific employment data on Asian Pacific
Americans. This helps the Department design programs to meet the unique
employment needs of our community.
The Department of Labor has also hosted two Opportunity Conferences to
foster the small businesses and community organizations serving the Asian
Pacific and Hispanic American communities.
And the Department is aggressively enforcing our nation's employment
laws. This Administration is committed to ensuring that workers—including
vulnerable new immigrants—are fully and fairly compensated.
The Asian Pacific American community has made tremendous progress in
accessing opportunities in mainstream America. And this Administration
is committed to ensuring that this progress continues.
Everywhere I go, I see the progress of Asian Pacific Americans across
all spectrums of our society. The future will be even brighter and hold
greater promise. I am deeply committed to helping our community access
opportunity. I've never forgotten my roots and I thank you for your continued
good wishes and encouragement.
So, thank you for inviting me here tonight. And thank you for everything
you are doing to strengthen our community and our country.
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