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OPA News Release: [05/13/2003]
Contact Name: Mina Nguyen
Phone Number: (202) 693-6000

Labor Department and OPM Host Second Annual Federal Career Advancement Summit for Asian Pacific Americans

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao and Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Cole James today hosted the second annual Asian Pacific Americans (APA) Federal Career Advancement Summit in Washington, D.C. Over 600 attendees took part in this training program designed to address the shortage of APAs in senior executive positions in the federal government. Secretary Chao today also launched the Labor Department’s Mentoring Program, a new facilitated program designed to foster career development and promote the professional advancement of government employees.

“I am committed to helping Asian Pacific Americans access the many career opportunities in the federal government,” said Chao. “The purpose of this annual Federal Career Advancement Summit is to provide Asian Pacific Americans with the training and skills that would help them become leaders both in our government and our community.”

Building on the achievements of last year’s event, this year’s summit aimed to provide management training and mentoring opportunities to Asian Pacific American government employees. The event reflects President George W. Bush and Secretary Chao’s commitment to providing opportunities in the federal government for all groups in this country. To expand this year’s conference, the summit was held in conjunction with the Federal Asian Pacific American Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Labor Department and OPM have also hosted the annual National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives Conference.

Secretary Chao is the first Asian American woman to serve in the Cabinet. President Bush has appointed a historic number of 19 Americans of Asian Pacific decent to serve in his Cabinet or in sub-Cabinet positions. APA representation in the federal workforce rose slightly in 2003, making APAs 2.3 percent of all federal workers serving in the senior executive levels.

More information can be found at www.apasummit.gov.

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