CAPAC Applauds Nomination of Debra S. Wada as Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of Defense
Washington, D.C. – Today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Debra S. Wada as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the U.S. Department of Defense. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair: “I congratulate Debra Wada on her nomination as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. With over twenty years of experience specializing in national defense issues in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, Ms. Wada is an exceptionally qualified candidate to lead the Army’s workforce and management programs. I applaud President Obama for his continued commitment to diversify the federal workforce, and I urge the Senate to move quickly on Ms. Wada’s confirmation.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI): “I commend President Obama for nominating Debra Wada to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. Ms. Wada’s extensive background and professional experience on issues of national defense make her a strong nominee. Ms. Wada’s ties to Hawaii and her understanding of the military will be beneficial as the Army faces many critical issues related to its force structure comprised of active duty, National Guard, Reserve and civilian components. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I look forward to working with her upon confirmation.”
Senator Brian Schatz (HI): “President Obama has recognized a tremendous candidate for this important post in Debra Wada. Debra’s experience handling military-personnel issues as well as her time in the House and Senate makes her an ideal candidate for Assistant Secretary. A graduate of St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls, Debra embodies the school motto, Women for Hawai‘i, Women for the world. Hawai‘i is proud of all she has accomplished and all she will accomplish.”
Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair: “I applaud President Obama on his nomination of Debra Wada to serve as the next Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Deb has been an invaluable resource to our Committee, and her experiences and expertise have been critical to implementing policies that best serve our nation’s servicemembers. I know Deb well and she is a smart and accomplished individual. I know that she always had the men and women in uniform as her number one priority, and they will be served well in her new position as Assistant Secretary of the Army. I urge the Senate to act swiftly on her nomination, and I look forward to continuing to work with her when she takes up her post at the Department of the Army.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), Chair Emeritus: “I am delighted that President Obama has nominated Debra S. Wada to be the next Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of Defense. She has an impressive history, from her time on the Subcommittee on Military Personnel for the House Armed Services Committee to her more than 10 years’ service to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka as his principal aide on national defense, veterans’ affairs, maritime issues, education, Social Security, and welfare. Ms. Wada is poised to make a large impact at the DOD, and I look forward to continuing to work with her. I commend President Obama for his commitment to including exceptional AAPIs in the most senior positions in government.”
Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08): “I applaud the President’s nomination of Debra S. Wada to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. This honor is well-deserved and Debra will share her talent, sound judgment and great knowledge of military personnel issues to benefit all of our men and women in uniform. Her leadership on important issues such as protecting military pay and benefits and addressing sexual assault in the military has been invaluable to Congress. The Armed Services committee will miss her advocacy and effectiveness on behalf of protecting our Service Members.”
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01): “I am very happy to see Debra Wada receive this appointment. I have known Debra since coming to Congress and sitting as a member of the House Armed Services Committee. She is smart, motivated, and hard-working, with a thorough understanding of military personnel issues and great relationships on the hill. I am confident that she is going to do a great job and be a real asset in the Department of Defense."
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53): “I am delighted that Debra will have this opportunity to apply her great skills and understanding of the military to support the Department of the Army. Having worked with Debra for many years, I will miss her wise counsel, but am confident that our servicemembers will be well served by her passion for those in uniform."
Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09): “I congratulate Debra Wada on her appointment as Assistant Secretary of Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the Army. For more than 15 years, she has passionately served this committee and the men and women in uniform. She will be missed. Debra is smart, hardworking and has a depth of policy knowledge that will serve her well in her new job and the Army is lucky to have her. I wish her all the best and look forward to working with her in the future.”
Background:
Debra S. Wada currently serves as a professional staff member for the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, a position she has held since 1999. Ms. Wada served as the lead staff member for the Subcommittee from 2007 to 2010, and briefly served as Deputy Staff Director for the committee in 2011. Previously, Ms. Wada served as a Legislative Affairs Specialist for the National Park Service, as well as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI). Ms. Wada received a B.A. from Drake University.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.