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OPA News Release: [08/21/2003]
Contact Name: Mina T.
Nguyen
Phone Number: (202) 693-6000
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Receives Lifetime
Achievement Award
International Leadership Foundation Recognizes
First Asian American Woman to Serve on a President’s Cabinet
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao was
honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Leadership
Foundation (ILF) this evening at their Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner. The
award, ILF’s highest distinction, is given to individuals who have made
extensive efforts to promote leadership opportunities for Asian Pacific
Americans, have significant professional accomplishments, and have a strong
commitment to community service.
“The President and I are committed to ensuring that Asian Pacific
Americans participate more fully in every aspect of mainstream American
life,” said Chao. “I am honored that you have chosen me for the ILF
Lifetime Achievement Award. Our lives are always a work in progress and I feel
there is more for me to contribute and many more roads ahead of me. But I hope
my appointment by President George W. Bush as this country’s first Asian
Pacific American female Cabinet member gives other Asian Pacific Americans the
hope and the encouragement of the boundless opportunities that exist in our
country.”
President George W. Bush has appointed more than 150 Asian Pacific
Americans to top-level positions throughout his Administration including an
historic 19 Presidential appointees who are confirmed by the Senate to serve in
Cabinet or sub-Cabinet positions. Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the
Department of Labor has the largest number of Asian Pacific American non-career
appointees in the federal government: 18, including three Presidential
appointees requiring Senate confirmation.
The International Leadership Foundation is a non-profit, nonpartisan
organization that offers scholarships to young Asian Americans who want to
complete fellowships in public service and international affairs. The
foundation works with leaders of Asian American organizations nationwide to
identify students for summer internship programs in the private and public
sectors.
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