[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1331-E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF MS. MING CHIEN HSU

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and 
contributions of Ming Chien Hsu upon her retirement following a long 
career in the maritime industry. During the course of her professional 
life, Ms. Hsu repeatedly distinguished herself in the fields of 
transportation and international commerce; as well as in government 
service and community leadership.
  Born in Beijing, China, Ms. Hsu came to the United States in the days 
following World War II. Settling in Washington, she enrolled in, and 
graduated Summa Cum Laude from, the School of Government Affairs at 
George Washington University. Degree in hand, Ms. Hsu moved to New 
Jersey where she began a career that has been interesting and 
impressive by any measure.
  Coming to the workplace in an era before it was common to see women 
in executive positions, Ms. Hsu joined the RCA Corporation, where she 
worked in positions related to marketing and planning before being 
promoted to Vice President for International Trade. Among her many 
successes at RCA, Ms. Hsu played a vital role in opening the China 
market for her company, a success enjoyed years before most companies 
were even contemplating the possibility of doing business in that 
country.
  The leadership and accomplishments of Ming Hsu in the arena of global 
commerce not only caught the attention of her superiors at RCA, but 
also that of New Jersey Governor Timothy Kean, who in 1982 appointed 
her Director of the New Jersey Department of Commerce Division of 
International Trade and Special Trade Representative, positions she 
held for 8 years. In those capacities, she led more than 20 trade 
missions all over the world, including to destinations such as Moscow, 
Saudi Arabia, and Singapore.
  In 1990, Ms. Hsu was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as a 
Commissioner on the Federal Maritime Commission where she served for 
almost 10 years under four different Chairmen. During her tenure, the 
Federal Maritime Commission tackled some of the most challenging issues 
related to shipping in recent years including the Ocean Shipping Reform 
Act; discriminatory port practices in Japan; and, market access issues 
in the People's Republic of China. Her ability to work closely with her 
fellow Commissioners, irrespective of their political affiliation, 
earned her the respect of her colleagues and she played a key role in 
assuring that matters before or affecting the Commission were 
considered carefully and completely and that the final results were 
equitable to all parties concerned. Ms. Hsu made many valuable 
contributions to the Federal Maritime Commission and shipping during 
what was a critical era for that agency and the industry it oversees.
  Though she left the Federal Maritime Commission in 1999, Ms. Hsu has 
remained actively involved in the shipping world working for the NOL 
Group the past 10 years. The NOL Group is the Singapore-based parent of 
one of the most historic shipping lines in the United States, American 
President Lines, which is celebrating the 160th anniversary of its 
founding this year. In her capacity as a senior advisor, Ms. Hsu has 
played a leading role for her company in addressing market access 
issues, providing guidance on regulatory matters, and serving as a 
sounding board on a variety of concerns related to trade and ocean 
transportation.
  Beyond her many impressive contributions to the transportation and 
trade communities, Ms. Hsu is a civic-minded individual who always has 
been, and continues to be, involved in many philanthropic and service 
related activities. Earlier in her career, Ms. Hsu served as a member 
of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, DACOWITS; a 
member of the New Jersey Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on 
Civil Rights; the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Holocaust Museum; as a 
trustee of the Newark Museum; and as an advisor to WNET, Channel 13, in 
New York.
  Her more recent volunteer and service efforts include: being a 
founding member and serving as a director of the Committee of 100, an 
organization of leading Chinese-American Citizens; serving as director 
on the J.T. Tai Foundation; being a sponsor of the Eisenhower 
Foundation; serving as a trustee of the Angel Island Project; serving 
as a trustee of the 1990 Institute; serving as a member of the 
Executive Committee of the Asian/Pacific American Legal Center; being a 
sponsor of the Hopkins-Nanjing Center; and serving as a member of the 
Advisory Board of the United States Merchant Marine Academy where she 
is a perennial presence at graduation, and in fact, she will be at the 
Academy in June to see the Class of 2008 receive their diplomas and 
commissions.
  I am told by those who know Ms. Hsu best that one of her greatest 
passions is mentoring others and toward that goal, she has taught 
college classes; worked to cultivate promising young professionals 
inside and outside of government; and simply made herself available in 
general to provide advice and guidance to

[[Page E1332]]

those who seek the benefit of her many years of experience. During her 
tenure at the Federal Maritime Commission, one of her administrative 
accomplishments was preparing a whole generation of Senior Executive 
Service employees, many of whom continue to serve at that agency today.
  Madam Speaker, throughout her career, Ming Hsu has been a pioneer, 
someone unafraid of a challenge and an individual who has repeatedly 
distinguished herself, yet doing so with graciousness and good will. 
She is an impressive and amazing woman who we thank for her selfless 
service in so many capacities and who we wish good health and good 
fortune in the years to come.

                          ____________________