Cong. APA Caucus on Shinseki
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) applauds President-elect Obama’s selection of retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki as his secretary of Veterans Affairs, as well as his announcement of three Asian Americans to be appointed as senior White House staff: Peter Rouse, Chris Lu, and Tina Tchen.
“Gen. Shinseki has the personal experience and dedication needed to fight as hard for our returning veterans as they have for our country,” said Rep. Mike Honda, chair of CAPAC. “Gen. Shinseki is a friend and will be a strong advocate on behalf of all veterans, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. I proudly applaud President-elect Obama’s selection of the General as his secretary of Veterans Affairs. The President-elect continues to bring the best and brightest onto his team, reflecting America’s diversity.”
Gen. Shinseki, who served on two combat tours during the Vietnam War, is the first Asian American four-star general and the only Asian American to serve as the Army’s chief of staff in 1999. In addition to his longtime military service, Gen. Shinseki is also the national spokesperson for Go for Broke National Education Center, a nonprofit dedicated to telling the story of the segregated Japanese American units during World War II.
President-elect Barack Obama has also announced three Asian Americans for senior White House positions. Peter Rouse will serve as Senior White House Advisor; Chris Lu, executive director of the Presidential Transition Team, has been announced as the White House Cabinet Secretary; and Tina Tchen, a prominent litigator from Chicago, will serve as the Director of Public Liaison in the White House.
“President-elect Barack Obama’s team looks like America,” said Rep. Honda. “I am pleased to see Asian American representation in the Cabinet, as well as among senior White House staff. I look forward to continuing my close collaboration with the transition team, and am thrilled to see a new administration that reflects all of America’s diversity.”
