Washington Business and Technology Institute - Elaine Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor

U. S. SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE CHAO: "Giving people hope in their future is our job."
---She kicked off a National Hispanic Worker initiative with a $1.9 million grant
By PAI of WBTI*1
At the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Labor and Social Security, U. S. Secretary of Labor, Ms. Elaine Chao, visited China from June 21 to 24 in 2004. The U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said in Beijing on Thursday, June 24, 2004 that her visit to China was fruitful.
"Chao signed four agreements during her trip to enhance cooperation in raising the living standard and working conditions for employees. She also announced the US would donate 3.5 million US dollars to China to help combat AIDS through workplace education program," reported the Xinhua News Agency on Thursday, June 24, 2004.*2
"She hoped through exchanging information, the two sides can raise living standards for workers, foster safe working environment for workers, and protect workers' rights in accordance with relevant international labor principles while respecting the national laws of both the United States and China," the Agency continued.*3
"Incentives brings us with encouragement. Encouragement brings us with good work performance. In the 5:19 on Ecclesiastes of the Bible, it stated that 'When God gives any man (or woman) wealth and possessions, and enable him (or her) to enjoy them, to accept his (or her) lot and be happy in his (or her) work---this is a gift of God,'*4" said Dr. Tony Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
Ms. Elaine Chao, U. S. Secretary of Labor, kicked off a National Hispanic Worker initiative with a $1.9 million grant on March 16, 2004. The grant is geared to recruit and motivate workers for Southern Nevada's gaming and hospitality industry.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn said that the new program and grants are as important to employers as they are to immigrant workers at the time when they spoke at Nevada Partners headquarters in North Las Vegas.
"New York - New York President Felix Rappaport, who serves on the board of the Culinary Training Academy that will oversee the grant, said the programs will help employers recruit workers. In addition, he said the new effort will help employers better motivate employees and improve the quality of hotel service, which he called key to the gaming industry."*5
Secretary Chao said that they looked at the need of Hispanic workers to access an array of programs when U. S. President Bush took office. "We looked at clusters where we could be of great service. We started a dialogue with (HERE) President (John) Willhelm. I came here and was very impressed with the programs he had put together. And really a confluence of factors and events (led to the program and grant) we announced today," Ms. Chao said.*6
"Getting people back to work is what this Department does. Giving people hope in their future is our job," said Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
Ms. Elaine Chao, the bright executive administrator of Bush's Reign, told the audience of several hundred Culinary workers that she remembers comings to the United States at her age of eight. She could not speak any English at that time. Secretary Chao said mastering the language was key to her success as a Peace Corps volunteer, head of United Way, and government service.
"She said the new program is designed to support immigrants with the same skills, help workers advance professionally and assist employers in matching placement needs with prospective workers." *7
Governor Guinn said the new programs will help employers find workers and help the employees quality for new jobs and advancement. He told the audience that the grant recognizes the success of the effective training programs that has been practiced and enjoyed here in Nevada.
"The technology that is helping to drive our robust productivity growth is changing the way we work and the types of jobs that are available. This Administration wants to ensure that our job training programs are relevant and that workers are encouraged to continually update their skills," pointed out Secretary Elaine Chao on the "Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
for AEI Conference --- The Benefits of Increased Productivity Growth for Workers," in Washington, D. C. on Wednesday, February 25, 2004. *8
"I recently returned from a trip to Washington and Oregon and talked with workers who were graduates of community college-based job-training programs. One young man told us that he lost his job in the California high-tech industry when the bubble burst and moved back home to Oregon. He learned about a special program at his local community college that partnered with a top Fortune 500 information technology company to train workers with skills in short supply. Today, thanks to that program, he is working for that company," said the Secretary.
"His story and those of many other workers around the country is the reason why the Labor Department's number one legislative priority this year is reforming the public workforce investment system that helps train workers. The goal is to bring this program into the 21st century so workers can be trained for real jobs in the real world."*9
At the age of 19, Elaine Chao was elected as a Scholar of the U. S. White House. U. S. Labor Secretary Chao was Chairperson of Federal Air Transportation and Vice President of Bank of American Main Office. In addition, she has contributed many years of community service and charity endeavor notably, as President of United Way, President of Peace Corps, and Senior Fellow of Heritage Foundation.*10
Secretary Chao received her B. A. degree in Economics with straight A's for all her four years at the famous Mount Holyoke College in New England. She obtained her M. B. A. degree from Harvard University in 1979. She also studied at M.I.T., Dartmouth College, and Columbia University.
At the time she was nominated by President Bush as the Secretary of Labor, she told her father that she does not intend to be an "Authoritative Official". She hoped that she could contribute to our society and nation.*11
Secretary Chao has received numerous awards for her professional accomplishments and community service. She is the recipient of 21 honorary doctoral degrees from colleges and universities around the world.
Secretary Chao is married to the Majority Whip of the United States Senate, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
"Elaine L. Chao is the nation's 24th Secretary of Labor, representing a new generation of American leadership. Since her confirmation by the United States Senate on January 29, 2001, she has been dedicated to carrying out the Department of Labor's mission of inspiring and protecting the hardworking people of America. She is respected as an effective and articulate champion of the nation's contemporary workforce, acting quickly to focus the Labor Department on the modern realities of workers' lives."*12
"When President George W. Bush nominated Elaine L. Chao, the first Asian-American woman appointed to a President's cabinet in U.S. history, he described her as an individual with strong executive talent, compassion, and commitment to helping people build better lives."
According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Secretary Elaine Chao's compassionate nature stems from her own background as an immigrant to this country at the age of eight. Her family's experience transitioning to a new country, supported by one another and the kindness of friends and neighbors, taught her that encouragement is the key to fostering independence, and that Americans are naturally compassionate people. This inspired her to dedicate most of her professional life to ensuring that people have the opportunity to pursue lives of dignity and financial independence.
As Director of the Peace Corps, Ms. Elaine Chao was one of the first Americans to personally embrace the people of the former communist bloc into the family of democratic nations, establishing Peace Corps programs in the Baltic nations of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union. Later, as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of America, she restored public trust and confidence after the organization was tarnished by mismanagement and financial abuse, thus preserving the nation's largest institution of private charitable giving.
The experience Ms. Elaine Chao gained at the United Way helping communities address their local needs prepared her to mobilize the Department of Labor to promote pathways to economic freedom for individuals and families working to achieve the American Dream. She describes her vision for America's workforce as one in which everyone can participate where jobs and opportunities are available for those leaving welfare, job training is accessible for those left behind, disability never bars a qualified person from the workplace, and where parents have an easier time balancing the responsibilities of work and home.
"Secretary Chao's previous government career includes serving as the Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, and Deputy Maritime Administrator in the U.S. Department of Transportation. She brings a wealth of business experience to the post, having worked as Vice President of Syndications at BankAmerica Capital Markets Group and a banker with Citicorp. Prior to her nomination as Secretary, she expanded her study of policy as a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based public policy research and educational institute. She was selected as a White House Fellow in 1983," states the Department.*13
Following the inspiration of the past many years of the accomplishment of Ms. Elaine Chao's contribution of humane spirit to our society, we have the persistense of Wou Shien's spirit for education here in America. If a coolie and hard woker like him could dedicate to eduction by offering all his income and life to build a school for children in his village, what should not for us to offer our efforts for our community?*14
To serve the community with wisdom and effort is the main creed of Washington Business and Technology Institute. It is our pleasure to post the Press Release from the Office of Governor Kenny Guinn on March 16, 2004 as in the following:*15
GOV. GUINN, SECRETARY OF LABOR CHAO ANNOUNCE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY INITIATIVE FOR HISPANIC WORKERS
CARSON CITY - Gov. Kenny Guinn joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao in announcing a major hospitality industry grant for Hispanic workers in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 16.
Secretary Chao awarded a federal grant to the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE) for their Hi-Demand program. HERE is partnering with its signatory hospitality industry employers and Nevada Partners, Inc., a community-based training provider. Together, they will help prepare Hispanic workers with the skills required for opportunities in the growing hospitality industry in Las Vegas, as well as in Atlantic City, N.J.
"This is an important initiative for Southern Nevada~{!&~}s largest industry and for the fastest growing segment of our population," Gov. Guinn said. "Training is a critical component of any economic development strategy. We appreciate the Department of Labor's support of this project."
The Hi-Demand project has several important objectives:
*** Increase the availability of qualified, skilled workers for entry-level and higher-skilled hospitality industry positions from the growing labor pool of immigrants, new citizens and workers with limited English proficiency.
*** Eliminate language skill barriers for limited English proficient new entrants to the workforce and eliminate career ladder barriers for limited English proficient incumbent workers in the hospitality industry.
*** Enhance the workforce development system's ability to prepare limited English proficient workers to enter the workforce.
*** Provide meaningful access to federally funded assistance for people with limited English proficiency.
*** Support the development of new training partnerships to satisfy demand in other major hospitality industry markets.
The Department of Labor, in response to President George W. Bush's Presidential Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, has supported collaboration between employers, community colleges and the public workforce system to help Hispanic Americans build the skills required in growing industries such as the hospitality sector. The Department of Labor has encouraged the development of language and occupational skills and is working to keep Hispanic youth on an educational path that leads to rewarding careers.*16
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References
*1. PAI of WBTI is the initial of Public Administration Institution of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).
*2. LVRJ. 'reviewjournal.com on June 24, 2004,' "A search for news on google.com.," (June 24, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: Communitylink of Las Vegas Review-Journal.
*3. Ibid.
*4.New International Version. (2000) "God's Words of life for Dads," Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation.
*5. Smith, Rod. 'Grant will help Hispanic hiring --- $1.9 million award will help LV hotels recruit workers,' "Las Vegas Review-Journal," (March 17, 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: Las Vegas Review-Journal.
*6. Ibid.
*7. Ibid.
*8. Chao, Elaine. "Remarks Prepared for Delivery by U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao for AEI Conference --- The Benefits of Increased Productivity Growth for Workers," (February 25, 2004), Washington, D. C.: U. S. Department of Labor.
*9. Ibid.
*10. Chang, Tiffany. 'Kathy Augustine and Brian Sandoval honored Advisors of PPAAF,' "Nevada Examiner," (March 30 - April 4, 2002), Las Vegas, Nevada: Nevada Examiner.
*11. Ibid.
*12. Department of Labor. "About Secretary of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao," (September 2004), Washington, D. C.: U. S. Department of Labor.
*13. Ibid.
*14. GSBPA of WBTI. 'New Year's Message of the President,' "Newsbrief of WBTI," (January 2004), Las Vegas, Nevada: WBTI.
*15. Ofiice of the Governor. 'GOV. GUINN, SECRETARY OF LABOR CHAO ANNOUNCE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY INITIATIVE FOR HISPANIC WORKERS,' "An e-mail from the Office of Governor Kenny C. Guinn to Dr. Tony Lei," (March 16, 2004), Carson City, Nevada: Office of Governor Kenny Guinn.
*16. Ibid.

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