Mrs. Elizabeth Phu was praised by President Barack Obama as one of the best employees and the pride of the family.
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| Ms. Elizabeth Phu, 40 years old, is currently a member of the National Security Council at the White House, director of security affairs for Southeast Asia, Oceania and East Asia. She plays an important role in helping Mr. Obama shape policies in these regions, including promoting cooperative relations with Vietnam. |
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| Mrs. Phu left Vietnam with her family to settle in the United States when she was nearly 4 years old. Her family has two sisters. Her mother is a retired nurse, and her father still works at the first financial company he was hired at after coming to the United States. |
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| She married Andrew Ridenour in 2011 and has a son, who is nearly 4 years old. She posted the photo on her personal Facebook account with the caption: "I feel especially grateful to this man right now." |
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| Elizabeth Phu smiled happily when she showed off that she was pregnant with a son 4 years ago. |
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| Ms. Phu graduated with a degree in political science and a master's degree in Pacific International Relations. She also spent a year at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Military Academy. Pictured is Ms. Phu with her son. |
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| She has 15 years of experience serving at the US Department of Defense and the White House through the administrations of former President George W. Bush and President Obama. This female advisor has participated in developing and negotiating important international agreements related to national security. |
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| In an interview with RFA in March, Ms. Phu said she was very fortunate to be working at the White House in countries that she cares about. She returned to Vietnam last year to join colleagues in Hanoi to prepare for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to the United States. |
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| The photo taken at the White House was shared by her sister Jenny Phu on Facebook with a proud caption about her sister: "President Obama told my family that my sister Elizabeth Phu is one of his best employees. We are so proud." |
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| In his speech today to nearly 1,000 Vietnamese youth in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Obama also mentioned Ms. Phu as one of his top advisors at the White House. He recounted her arduous journey to America and praised the talent of this Vietnamese-American woman. "We rely on her in every policy," Mr. Obama said. |
According to VNE
