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OPA News Release: [06/02/2006]
Contact Name: Jim
Schaefer/Anna Hui
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or (202) 431-1824
Release Number: 06-955-NEW
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Addresses
American Legion Post Members
Pays Tribute to the Contributions of Chinese-American
Veterans to Fighting the War On Terror and Pledges to Vigorously
Enforce the Employment Rights of Returning Veterans
NEW YORK — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
addressed the attendees of the 61st anniversary celebration of the American
Legion Lt. B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post #1291. The event brought together
veterans, government officials and community leaders to honor the service of
Chinese-American veterans. Secretary Chao's remarks paid tribute to the
contributions of Asian Pacific American veterans to the preservation of
America's freedom and democracy and protection of the Homeland. The Secretary
also mentioned the president's comprehensive immigration-reform proposals.
"America owes a debt of gratitude to its sons and daughters of Chinese
descent who joined the military to protect our country's freedoms and liberties
in the war on terror. Today, Asian Pacific American men and women in uniform
are defending our nation in the War on Terror. They are defending forward, and
depriving the terrorists who seek to harm us of resources and sanctuaries so we
can be safe here at home," said Secretary Chao.
The Secretary also noted that the Department of Labor has primary
responsibility for protecting the employment rights of veterans and America's
citizen soldiers, and that this is a top priority of this Administration. The
Department of Labor enforces the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment
Rights Act (USERRA), which is the law that protects the jobs, health insurance
coverage and pension benefits of citizen soldiers. Since September 11, 2001,
the Department has reached out aggressively to Guard and Reserve units and
employer groups to ensure that they understand their rights and
responsibilities.
"Protecting the reemployment rights of veterans is one of the Labor
Department's top priorities," said Secretary Chao. "They devoted a part of
their lives ensuring the defense and protection of our country and now it's our
turn to be supportive of them."
Secretary Chao discussed the importance of the president's comprehensive
immigration-reform proposals in protecting our national security and, at the
same time, ensuring that our country remains welcoming to hardworking
immigrants.
"The president has acknowledged that securing our nation's borders is a
basic responsibility and an urgent requirement of national security. At the
same time, we are a nation that has welcomed immigrants and benefited from
their contributions," said Secretary Chao. "He is seeking the rational middle
ground — a system that is secure, orderly and fair — an immigration
system that is appropriate for the 21st century."
Secretary Chao also commended the various awardees and honorees,
including the 13 Chinese-American veterans who have served as continuous
members of the American Legion Post for more than 50 years. She also thanked
those who have helped to preserve the legacy of Chinese-American veterans and
their contributions to our nation.
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic,
mutual-help, wartime veterans' organization. It is a community service
organization, which now has nearly 3 million members in approximately 15,000
American Legion Posts worldwide. The Lt. B.R. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post is
the largest American Legion Post in New York City.
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