Remarks by The Honorable Elaine L. Chao

18^th U. S. Secretary of Transportation & 24^th U. S. Secretary of Labor

International Leadership Foundation Annual Gala

Capital Hilton, Washington, D. C.

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Good evening!  It’s always wonderful to be back with ILF! 

I want to thank the Founders, Chiling Tong & Joel Szabat for having the determination and the vision 27 years ago to set up an organization that empowers the next generation of APA leaders.  And, I want to thank all the board members who shared and supported that vision.   

I am asked to speak about my life journey, public service, and advice for the next generation of leaders.   You know, one of the basic Asian cultural values is humility, modesty, and filial piety.  Whenever I mention to Asian Americans my gratitude to my parents for their sacrifices, there is an automatic understanding and connection.  So, my story doesn’t start with me; it really starts with my parents so let me tell you about their journey. 

My parents are Americans of Chinese descent.  Their love story defines their life.  My father was born in a small farming hamlet of 10 families, outside of Shanghai.    His father was a school principal known for his advocacy of education for rural children.

My father displayed natural leadership qualities from his youth.  He was captain of the basketball team, soccer and ping pong champion.  But, he relied on scholarships to obtain his education from elementary school all the way to Jiao Tong University in Shanghai.  In college, he majored in celestial navigation.  As part of his graduation requirement, he went aboard a ship at the end of his senior year to get sea going experience.  While at sea, the government changed and his ship set sail for Taiwan.   He never saw his father again and did not see his mother until 23 years later when President Nixon opened China.      

My mother came from a distinguished, prominent family in Anhui Province.  She was among the very few women of her time to receive an education and attended a famous boarding school run by missionaries in Nanjing.   In 1949, as the Civil War heated up, her family and she moved to Shanghai in an effort to find safety and security.  There she attended Jiading #1 High School, my father’s alma mater.  One winter day in 1949, my father, the big man on campus, returned to visit his alma mater and they were introduced through mutual friends.  We have these wonderful 25 black and white candid photos that show her with her friends having fun just like teenagers do in life.  

Ordinarily, these two young people of such different socioeconomic backgrounds would never have been able to meet, but China was in upheaval with the Japanese invasion, World War II, and then the Chinese civil war.  And, in turmoil, there is opportunity.

When he landed in Taiwan, my father thought that my mother probably was in Taiwan because she came from a prominent family and they probably relocated to Taiwan as well. 

Jobs, housing, everything was scarce at the time as millions descended on Taiwan.  My father needed a job to survive.  Because many seamen did not want to go to the war front, my father was able to get a job as 2^nd officer, jumping four positions from cadet to 2^nd officer, and he set sail on a ship bound for Quemoy and Matsui, the war zone in 1949.  

During his shore leave, he would spend his spare time visiting high schools looking for my mother.  It took him a year to find her and ask her hand in marriage. 

Because of the love of his new wife, my father found his footing in Taiwan, and advanced to become the youngest sea captain at the time, at the age of 29. But he was away at sea 10 months out of the year.  So, he took a national examination, scored No. 1, broke all the records, and got a chance to come to America.

My mother was then seven months pregnant.  But, they believed that America was the land of opportunities.  She bravely told my father to go to America alone to build a better life for the family, not knowing when we would be reunited.  

My mother wrote daily letters offering encouragement and hope 

It took my father 3 years before he was able to bring us to America.  

My mother, 2 sisters and I came to America on a cargo ship because that was all my father could afford.  The trip took 37 days.  My father saw his 3^rd daughter for the first time when she was 3 years old.  I was then 8 years old. 

Our initial years in America were very difficult.  We lived in a small one bedroom apartment in Queens, New York; we had no friends nor relatives.  My father held 3 jobs to make ends meet. 

We didn’t speak English or understand the culture but my parents had hope and optimism for the future.  My father eventually earned his MBA, started his company over 62 years ago, and built it to the much respected global leader in dry bulk shipping that is Foremost Group today.   The company motto is Honor.  Integrity.  Performance. 

My mother, at the age of 51 returned to get her Masters in Asian literature and history.   

Dr. Chao often says “Society gives to us; we have to give back to Society.”  So, he is giving his money to charity to help build a better world.   

The story of Dr. James S. C. Chao and Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao are one of millions of such stories in our community – most of you in this room have your own family stories of immigration, challenges and survival. 

In this time of increased trend toward international isolationism, when reality ties us closer together through technology – we need mainstream America to understand, appreciate, and honor our Community.  We are Americans and deserve no less respect.  That’s why I am working with the Commission, Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum co-founded and chaired by Mr. Handel Lee, and so many others in establishing a national Asian Pacific American Museum on the National Mall.  We are grateful for the leadership of Chair Chiling Tong, Jay Xu, Vice Chair Tina Wei Smith and Joanne Kwong and all the Commissioners:  The Honorable Rodney Davis, Kevin Kim, Dennis Cheng, and welcome the newest Commissioner, The Honorable Joseph Cao.  

Our stories are America’s stories and our history needs to be recognized and celebrated.  I look forward to working with you.  Thanks for being here tonight. 

END