By Shirley L Ng
AsAmNews New York Correspondent
Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao paid a visit to Manhattan’s Chinatown to celebrate Asian American heritage month with her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, a US veteran.
Lion dancers and a local community band greeted Chao and her father at their first stop, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent’s Association (CCBA) on Mott Street. There she thanked them for their continuous commitment to the community. Then it was on to a wreath laying ceremony where she and her father also received the key to the city from American Legion Lt. Kim Lau Post 1291.
During a press conference on Saturday, I asked Chao, “ There is concern with the high rate of bias crimes, what is your role in working to ensuring our safety?”
“I don’t think there is any federal official that has a better record than I do in terms of defending, advocating and protecting this community,” said Chao. Hear her full response in the video below.
She was also asked when Park Row would be reopened as it has been closed since the September 11 attacks and has impacted Chinatown economically. Park Row is a street that connects Lower Manhattan’s financial district to Chinatown. Chao said she was not aware of Park Row being closed until her visit, but said she has spoken to CCBA about their concerns.
“I would be interested to learn what is the real problem and what the reaction of the elected officials that CCBA reached out to, “ she said.
The last time Chao visited Manhattan Chinatown was in December 2001 as the Secretary of Labor under the Bush administration. At that time she presented $1 million dollars in aid to Chinatown to help the community recover from the adverse economic impact of the tragic event of September 11 attacks.
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RE: Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao Visits Manhattan Chinatown: Where did she visit from
REL Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao Visits Manhattan Chinatown: Her office is in Washington, DC. But her husband is Senator McConnell from Kentucky. She likely has a residence there as well.