U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao told students April 30 after a luncheon meeting of the
Senior Advisory Committee to the Institute of Politics that Asian Americans should not
exaggerate the effect of discrimination on their career prospects. At a meeting with leaders of
Asian Pacific American student groups at the Charles Hotel, the Harvard Business School alum
urged Asian Americans to embrace their cultural identity and its emphasis on achievement.
In a brief question-and-answer session, Chao said repeatedly that students should be confident
and not dwell on discrimination. She also emphasized that Asian Americans play an increasingly
important role in politics. (Source: David K. Hausman, The Harvard Crimson, May 1, 2007).