SIU-contracted NCL America has announced that U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, a strong supporter of the U.S. Merchant Marine, will christen the Pride of America on June 17 in New York City.The company’s press release appears below and also is available on NCL’s web site here
U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR ELAINE L. CHAO TO CHRISTEN LARGEST U.S.-FLAG CRUISE SHIP EVER BUILT
Secretary Chao will serve as Godmother of NCL America’s newest U.S. flagged cruise ship -- PRIDE OF AMERICA
MIAMI, June 13, 2005 – NCL America today announced that the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, has graciously agreed to serve as Godmother of its newest cruise ship, Pride of America. The ship is the largest U.S. Flagged cruise ship ever built and the first newly built cruise ship to join the US register in half a century. Secretary Chao will christen Pride of America in a ceremony aboard the ship in New York City on June 17, 2005.
“Secretary Chao came to this country as a young immigrant, speaking no English, when she was eight years old. Today, she is the first Asian American woman appointed to serve in the President’s cabinet in history and has shown what can be accomplished in America with hard work and determination,” said Colin Veitch, NCL Corporation’s president and chief executive officer. “She is an inspiring and accomplished leader who we are very proud to have serve as Godmother of Pride of America.”
Pride of America employs 100 percent U.S. officers and crew and will generate millions of dollars for Hawai`i and the U.S. economy.
“The Pride of America is the first newly constructed ocean going U.S.-flagged cruise ship in 50years,” Secretary Chao said. “It will provide thousands of jobs for American workers.”
The 81,000-ton Pride of America is NCL America’s second U.S.-flag ship, joining Pride of Aloha which began inter-island Hawai`i cruising in July 2004. Pride of Hawai`i, NCL America’s third U.S. Flagged cruise ship will be delivered in 2006. Once all three U.S.-flag cruise ships are operational, employing nearly 4,000 American seafarers, NCL America will be the largest private employer of U.S. merchant mariners in the nation.
About Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Secretary Elaine Chao is the nation's 24th Secretary of Labor. She is the first Asian-American woman appointed to a Presidential cabinet position in U.S. history. When nominating Secretary Chao, President George W. Bush described her as an individual with “strong executive talent, compassion, and commitment to helping people build better lives.”
Other government positions held by Secretary Chao include Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, Deputy Maritime Administrator in the U.S. Department of Transportation. She was also Director of the Peace Corps, served as President and Chief Executive of United Way of America, and was a Distinguished Fellow at The Heritage Foundation.
Secretary Chao grew up in Queens, New York after her family emigrated to the United States aboard a freighter from Taiwan when she was 8 years old to join her father. She received her M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and her undergraduate degree in economics from Mount Holyoke College. Secretary Chao is married to the United States Senate Majority Whip, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
About Pride of America
Pride of America has been designed to reflect America's favorite places on board, from its spirited entertainment options to the Americana décor and regional fare. She also represents some of the country’s proudest assets, including a Skyline Restaurant inspired by the architecture and skyscrapers of the 1930's; the Liberty Restaurant featuring a Colonial design and paintings of important historic moments; and the Capitol Atrium, inspired by the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. This fabulous new ship will also offer all the freedom and choice of Freestyle Cruising. During her inaugural season, she will offer three historic itineraries from the exciting shores of Miami through the Panama Canal, to a voyage from San Francisco across the Pacific to her new home in Hawai`i.
Pride of America features a spectacular salute to the diversity of the United States: vibrant stars and stripes hull artwork; a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras Cabaret Lounge; and the Alaskan Gold Rush Saloon, Key West Grill and Napa Wine Bar. Pride of America guests will also enjoy the Santa Fe Spa and Fitness Center decorated with artifacts and authentic vegetation from New Mexico, the Newbury Street Shopping area inspired by early 1900s New England shops, the SS AMERICA Library and the ship's Hollywood Theatre.
Once in Hawai`i this July, Pride of America will offer seven-day cruises from Honolulu will feature a day in Hilo, Hawai`i; two days in Kahului, Maui; a day in Kona, Hawai`i; and two days in Nawiliwili, Kauai.
NCL America is one of three brands under NCL Corporation ("NCL"), an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida, with a fleet of 16 ships in service and under construction. The corporation oversees the operations of Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL America and Orient Lines.
For further information on the Graham cruise, NCL or NCL America, agents in the U.S. and Canada may contact NCL at (800) 327-7030; visit NCL’s website at www.ncl.com or on AOL at keyword: NCL; or to download high-resolution photography visit www.ncl.com/hires.
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