By: The Honorable Elaine L. Chao - Ronald Reagan: An Essay on the Legacy of an American Icon

18th U. S. Secretary of Transportation under President Donald Trump; 24th U. S. Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush

Member, Board of Trustees, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

President Ronald Reagan was a transformational leader. His common-sense, conservative principles, unabashed love for our country and strong leadership transformed the world’s geopolitical and economic order for the better, and with it the lives of millions of individuals.? I am one of those individuals whose life he permanently changed.?

I was a registered Independent when I entered the White House as a White House Fellow in 1983.? ? I didn’t understand much about how the government worked, but I wanted to learn.? I came from the Asian Pacific American immigrant community, which included a large number of enterprises owned and established by hard- working immigrant fathers and mothers. I saw firsthand how government impacted their lives, especially the bureaucratic hurdles and high taxes that made it harder for them to build better lives for their families.? So, when I began to learn about the four pillars of President Reagan’s philosophy:? reducing the role of government; promoting free market principles to stimulate economic growth; renewal of national pride, strength, and purpose; and Peace Through Strength, they resonated deeply with me.? I realized I was a conservative.? ?

I am especially grateful for the lessons I learned from President Reagan and his team about how to run the government more effectively- especially the principle that “personnel is policy.”? These lessons helped guide me in my future positions as the first Asian Pacific American woman appointed to the President’s cabinet in American history.

President Reagan not only transformed my life, but similarly transformed our whole nation by reaching out and bringing into his “big tent” blue collar workers and many others who traditionally have not viewed the Republican Party as their home.? He was strong on principle but communicated those principles in a way that resonated with hope and optimism.? He brought us together.? The idea that America was a shining city on the hill, providing hope and opportunity to the world, wasn’t just a slogan to him. He made it a reality not only for my family and me, but for all of us.?