Remarks by 24th U. S. Secretary of Labor; 18th U. S. Secretary of Transportation & First AANHPI woman to be appointed to a President’s cabinet in history
Ceremonial Swearing-In – National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission
June 12, 2025 | Library of Congress
Washington, D. C.
Thank you, Richard Lui. It’s great to join you for the ceremonial swearing-in of the Commissioners to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.
Please let me first acknowledge Speaker Johnson’s remarks, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Andy Kim, Representatives Young Kim, Grace Meng, Ted Lieu, Judy Chu, Burgess Owens, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch, Ambassador Katherine Tai, Ed Moy, Irene Natividad, Julian Ha and Handel Lee, Co-Founder and Chair of Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum.”
I want to congratulate the Commission’s Co-Chairs—Jay Xu and Chiling Tong, for assuming this role. Both of you have exemplified service to our community thus making you both trusted leaders in working with all of us on this effort. And, thank you to the Commissioners for serving on the Commission. Congresswoman Michelle Steel, Congressman Rodney Davis – thank you for your service to our country – Tina Wei Smith, Joanne Kwong, Dennis Cheng, Kevin Kim.
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, it is timely to remember that Asian Pacific Americans helped build this country. From the Chinese laborers who laid the tracks of the transcontinental railroad which made America the economic powerhouse it became… to the Japanese American soldiers of the 442nd Regiment, who served heroically in World War II—even while their families were unjustly interned at home… to APA entrepreneurs, astronauts, doctors, nurses, scientists, inventors, Nobel prize winners, military leaders, Olympians, artists, performers…the contributions are vast, diverse, and deeply inspiring.
The Commission will work to not only explore the feasibility of a museum—it will help to fill a gap in our national narrative. It will ensure that the American story reflects the full spectrum of the people who shaped it.
A national museum dedicated to Asian Pacific American history and culture would not only preserve and celebrate the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to the building of America today, it will also educate and foster greater understanding of the Asian Pacific American community, especially during these times of increasing anti-Asian sentiments, violence and discrimination.
It would be a place where Asian American youths can see themselves and feel pride in where they came from and inspired in where they’re going.
And most importantly, this Museum would bring all Americans closer together—by showing how our stories intersect and how much we share in common.
This journey will take time, but it begins with this Commission and with us now. Congratulations again on this swearing-in. We look forward to the Commission’s work in the months ahead—and to the day when we can walk together through the doors of a national museum that proudly tells the story of Asian Pacific Americans in our country.
Thank you.
