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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
International Leadership Foundation
Washington, D.C.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Thank you, Joel, for that warm welcome.
I want to thank Joel [Szabat] and Chiling [Tong] for
working so hard to make this event such a success. The vision of ILF to
recognize the importance of offering leadership opportunities to young Asian
Americans is truly laudatory. We also have with us C.C. Yin, President of the
ILF, and Eddy Badrina, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. And it's great to have
Kaity Tong MC for us. I also want to recognize Ed Moy for giving the
invocation.
Congratulations also to the awardees and the ILF interns. I want to
commend your theme for this evening, "Salute to APA Volunteers." As former
Director of the Peace Corps and CEO of the United Way of America, I know
firsthand the real difference that volunteers can make. And I want to add my
congratulations to Secretary Norman Mineta, the recipient of tonight's ILF
Lifetime Achievement Award, and his wife, Deni.
I remember how thrilling it was to receive the same award last year. I
even brought my parents!
Tonight, our celebration of Asian American leaders would not be
complete without recognizing a very special person who has dedicated himself to
our community through decades of volunteerism and public service.
That special person is Dr. John Tsu, Chair Emeritus of the ILF. Over
his distinguished career, Dr. Tsu has helped pioneer educational and
advancement opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans of all ages. His
dedicated service on behalf of the Asian Pacific American community has been
widely recognized by four U.S. Presidents, who have appointed him to many
high-level boards and commissions.
President Richard M. Nixon appointed him to the Presidential Advisory
Commission on the Education of Disadvantaged Children. President Gerald Ford
appointed him to the National Heritage Studies Committee. President George H.W.
Bush appointed him as Co-Chair of the Presidential Personnel Advisory
Committee, when Dr. Tsu recommended more than 150 Asian Pacific Americans for
appointment. And again in 2001, President George W. Bush tapped Dr. Tsu to help
with appointments of more than 210 Asian Pacific Americans to his
Administration. Because of Dr. Tsu's work, Asian Pacific Americans have greater
access to opportunity and mainstream America.
Please join me in watching a brief slide show honoring Dr. Tsu's life
and work.
Now, I would like to turn the tables a bit, and ask Secretary Mineta to
come forward and share in the presentation of a special award to Dr. Tsu.
On behalf of all those who have benefited from your vision, commitment
and energetic leadership over the years, Dr. Tsu, I would like to present you
with this special letter of recognition and the ILF Special Tribute Award.
Thank you for everything you have done to help Asian Pacific Americans
reach their full potential and access the opportunities and freedoms of
mainstream America.
God bless you and God bless America.
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