Washington D.C. — The White House announced on Oct. 11th that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao will represent the United States at the Inauguration of His Excellency Joko Widodo as President of Indonesia on October 20, 2019. The Secretary will then travel on to Tokyo to represent the United States at the enthronement of the Emperor of Japan on October 22, 2019.
Secretary Chao is a leading woman leader in the United States. As the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, this is Secretary Chao’s second cabinet position. Previously, she served as U.S. Secretary of Labor, becoming the first Asian American woman to be appointed to the President’s cabinet in American history. She has transformed the U. S. Department of Transportation into a national platform to advance safety, modern infrastructure and American innovation.
She has had a distinguished career in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Secretary Chao has worked at the White House, served as Deputy Maritime Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation; Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission; Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and Director of the Peace Corps. She was also President and Chief Executive Officer of one of America’s top charities, United Way of America. She has also worked as Vice President of Syndications at Bank of America and Citicorp. Honored for her extensive record of accomplishments and public service, she is the recipient of 37 honorary doctorate degrees.
Secretary Chao was born in Asia and came to America at the age of eight speaking no English; she received her citizenship at the age of 19. Secretary Chao is married to the United States Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. She is the eldest of six daughters born to Dr. James S.C. Chao and the late Mrs. Ruth Mulan Chu Chao.
