CAPAC Members Applaud Confirmation of Debra S. Wada as Assistant Secretary of the Army
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Debra S. Wada by a voice vote to be 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 confirmation as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Department of Defense. Today’s vote is a testament to Debra’s decades of experience specializing in national defense issues in Congress and an important step towards President Obama’s commitment to diversify the federal workforce. I am confident that Debra will bring great leadership to her work with the Army’s workforce and management programs, and wish her the best in her new role.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI): “I look forward to working with someone who is from and understands Hawaii in this role at the Department of Defense. Debra’s extensive national defense background and D.C experience has made her an integral part of the community and her confirmation reflects those relationships. I believe that she will serve with excellence.”
Senator Brian Schatz (HI): “I join many in Hawai‘i in congratulating Debra Wada on her Senate confirmation to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. With a distinguished career in the House and Senate, Debra understands the unique needs of the Army and our service members. I’m confident she will do a great job at the DoD, and I wish her much success in her new role.”
Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair: “I congratulate Debra Wada on her confirmation as an Assistant Secretary of the Army. During her time as a professional staff member for the House Armed Services Committee, Deb provided exceptional guidance and advice to Members of Congress, and her counsel was invaluable to implementing public policies that have benefitted our servicemembers. I am confident that she will continue to provide exceptional leadership as she assumes her role as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and I look forward to working with her as she assumes her new position.”
Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09), House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member: “Congratulations to Debra Wada on being confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. The House Armed Services Committee is losing a part of our institutional knowledge, but our loss is the Army's gain. Debra has been a key member of the Armed Services Staff for years. While she will be hard to replace, the Army has certainly gained a tremendous asset. I wish Debra all the best in her new role, and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.”
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 Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02): “Congratulations to Debra Wada on her confirmation to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Debra has worked on defense issues for nearly 25 years, gaining a deep appreciation and understanding of the complicated issues confronting our Defense Department. She continues her commitment to serving our country now through the Department of Defense. As a Honolulu native and former aide to Senator Daniel Akaka, Debra also has strong Hawai‘i ties that will serve her well as she works on issues that impact the Asia-Pacific region. I have valued our work together on the House Armed Services Committee, and I wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor.”
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01): “I would like to congratulate Debra Wada on being confirmed to this important position within the Department of Defense. Debra has been a critical asset to all of us on the House Armed Services Committee, and I am confident that her dedication, hard work, and knowledge of defense issues will help her succeed as the new Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. I thank Debra for her service and wish her the best of luck.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13): “I would like to congratulate Assistant Secretary Wada on her confirmation by the Senate. I am confident that Assistant Secretary Wada will continue to be a strong advocate for our brave servicemen and women.”
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (CNMI): “Congratulations to Ms. Wada on her confirmation to be the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. As a Hawaiian native and long-time aide to Hawai‘i Senator Daniel Akaka, Ms. Wada is very familiar with all of the Pacific region. I am sure I speak for our Active Army, Reservists, and National Guardsmen and women in the Northern Mariana Islands, when I say we are grateful to have a person with that experience and understanding working at such a high level in the Department of Defense.”
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53): “Debra’s confirmation is a personal loss to me since we have worked together for over 10 years. But it is a great gain for our country and our service members. Congratulations.”
Background:
Debra S. Wada has been a professional staff member for the Subcommittee on Military Personnel for the House Armed Services Committee 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. In 1999, Ms. Wada served as a Legislative Affairs Specialist for the National Park Service. Ms. Wada served as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, acting as the Senator’s principal aide on national defense, veterans’ affairs, maritime issues, education, Social Security and welfare from 1987 to 1999. 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.