U.S. Flagged Cruise Ship to be Christened by Secretary Elaine L. Chao

The "Pride of America" is the largest U.S. flagged cruise ship ever built and is the first newly built cruise ship to join the U.S. register in nearly a half century.

Ms. Chao will christen the "Pride of America" in New York Harbor on June 17th. The Miami based NCL America employs U.S. Merchant Marine officers on the "Pride of America," whihc will generate millions of dollars for Hawaii and the U.S. economy.

Elaine Chao came to America as an eight-year old immigrant from Taiwan and spoke no English. She grew up in Queens, New York and received her M.B.A from Harvard Business School. Chao is married to U.S. Senate majority whip Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

The 81,000-ton "Pride of America" is NCL America's second U.S. flagged ship, and will join the "Pride of Aloha," which began Hawaiian inter-island cruises in 2004.