Book tells Chao patriarch's story

Elaine L. Chao was in New York this weekend, but the focus wasn't on the US transportation secretary nominee but rather her father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, who was promoting a new book about his life.

They attended a discussion with the 2016 Education and Leadership Conference organized by the International Leadership Foundation and New York Young Entrepreneurs Roundtable.

The talk focused on Dr Chao's biography Fearless against the Wind, which was written by Alice Tsui, a professor at National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

"It's overwhelming to have received the outpouring of affection and support since the announcement occurred. I am deeply, deeply grateful," Chao, who also served as secretary of labor under President George W. Bush, told media after the book event.

"This will be the only occasion that I face media in an organized format until my confirmation hearing before the United States Senate, which hopefully will take place in the middle of January, before the start of the new administration," she added.

Chao said she wanted to maintain the tradition of nominees not speaking to the media before their confirmation hearing, because "confirmation should never be assumed".

"In this country, the president appoints, the Senate confirms," she said. "But my father and I had promised to appear before the International Leadership Foundation for this event well before the president-elect's announcement of my nomination."

Fearless against the Wind is the story of Dr. Chao's personal journey. He began his career as a cadet on oceangoing vessels after completing college on the Chinese mainland and became one of the youngest sea captains at the age of 29. He got the highest score ever recorded on the master mariner exam and got an opportunity to go to the US.

After receiving an MBA from St. John's University in 1964, Chao founded Foremost Group, an international shipping and finance company where he remains chairman.

The Shanghai Mulan Education Foundation, set up by Chao and his wife, Ruth Mulan Chu Chao, who died in 2007, has awarded thousands of scholarships to students and been generous benefactors to many institutions.

On June 6, Harvard University opened the Ruth Mulan Chu Chao Center, the first building named after a woman and the first named after an Asian American in the university's 380-year history.

"Education is the most important power to change a person's life," said Dr. Chao during the discussion.

He said Foremost Group has had a zero-accident record since its founding more than 50 years ago, which he credits to the emphasis put on staff training and education.

Since the 1980s, the company has worked with maritime colleges in Shanghai and Dalian to provide scholarships, internships and career opportunities to poor students. "Our staff is hard-working," he said.

Chao said her father's life is an inspirational story of "love, family, hope, determination, perseverance and ultimately triumph against challenges and adversities" all against the backdrop of one of the most historical periods in world history.

"It's a lesson in how to live a fulfilling and rewarding life. His life is a reminder of what the true treasures of life are," she continued. "I've been extraordinarily blessed to have such wonderful parents."

Chao said she hopes that people will find the biography inspirational and find the courage to pursuing their life goals. She said her father would call himself "a simple farm boy", but he's so full of courage, vision, generosity, truly faithful, truly fearless and joyful in facing life.

"I'm so grateful that my father is with me at this historical moment," Chao said. "My mother has left on August 2, 2007. She and my father are responsible for who we are today."

wanglinyan@chinadailyusa.com