APANR May/June 2017

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In 1956, Larry Itliong founded the Filipino Farm Labor Union in Stockton

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Photo by Tim Ulmer

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His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, first visit to Sacramento as part of his public tour of the United States

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Photo by Tim Ulmer

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Peter Chiang Steve Ly

HERITAGE MONTH

Tye Leung Schulze cast her vote a good eight years before the federal government adopted the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.

State Senator Stavisky, Deputy Editor of WJ Joe Wei, and Moderator Kenneth Hoe A P A

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http://issuu.com/apanewsandreview209 For additional information please visit apanews.org

CA Strawberry Commission Mark Martinez

Little Manila at City Hall Stockton, CA

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Publisher Dennis Lee (209) 327-2407 dennislee99@gmail.com APAPA Media Director Major Ty Sorci

Dennis Lee Build Relationships Earn Trust The opinions expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not reflect the opinions of the newspaper’s owner, Editor, or staff.

APANR Team Dorcas Yee Cheryll Lim Dennis Lee Edgar Calderon Jim Chong Remi Estrella Cynthia Lau Regina Rederford Art Director Remi Estrella Advertising/Outreach Dennis Lee (209) 327-2407 dennislee99@gmail.com Dorcas Yee dorcasyee@gmail.com Edgar Calderon (916) 627-8701

Asian Pacific American News & Review Mission Statement

The Asian Pacific American News and Review is a bi-monthly newspaper dedicated to providing a single, comprehensive publication, both in print and online, that seeks to raise awareness of issues of interest to Asians and associated ethnic groups in Northern California.

Objectives Educate

— inform readers about the issues facing Asian Pacific

Americans. And also to give a voice to the community for sharing and lauding accomplishments and concerns.

178 West Adams Street Stockton, CA 95204

Contributing Writers Jodi King Mary Nicholson, PHC Jim Chong Grant Din

Phone: (209) 327-2407

Collaborative Partnerships Jim Chong

http://issuu.com/ apanewsandreview209 For additional information please visit apanews.org

Participate — promote and encourage readers to take an active role

Next Issue

Advocate — Ask readers to be an advocate for the community as an

July/August 2017

in raising awareness of the Asian Pacific American community and its contributions and concerns.

informed, involved member.

While we most directly address the concerns of Asian Pacific Americans, our publication is not a racial or ethnic sorting. It is a gathering of all those who wish to gather.

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Contributing Photographers Tim Ulmer Dorcas Yee Jack Funamura Stockton (JACL) Chapter Advisors May O. Lee Jodi King Alex Eng Linda Ng

Senior Living VOLUME 15.NO.3

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The California State Railroad Museum, Telling the Story of the Transcontinental Railroad Workers Part 1 of 3: Walking in Their Footsteps Article and photos by John W Oback

On a warm and clear August day last summer, I joined a group of volunteers from the California State Railroad Museum (CSRM) on a hike at Donner Summit. The pass is located in the great Sierra Nevada Mountains near Truckee.

Our leader was Phil Sexton, State Park Interpreter.

Phil, with his white hair and beard, looks quite the sage. He is not the kind of “Interpreter” that translates languages. Instead, he translates artifacts. He tells the stories that give meaning, significance, and a true understanding to California history.

That day in August, Phil led us along an abandoned portion of the old Lincoln Highway, which had been not much more than a rough wagon road before nearby Highway 40 was built. Later still, Interstate 80 was built about a mile north of us across Donner Summit. Everywhere we looked was rugged granite slopes and sparse vegetation. To the east, Donner Lake shone like a blue gemstone.

As nice as the view was, we weren’t

there to see the lake or visit the popular Donner Memorial. Instead, we were following the 150 year old footsteps of Chinese laborers who built the Transcontinental Railroad across this section of the Sierra for the Central Pacific Railroad (later named the Southern Pacific Railroad). At that time, the 1860’s, this area was entirely wilderness.

As we walked, Phil excitedly pointed out antique square nails, bits of glass and pottery, strands of steel telegraph wire, and even a Chinese coin. Nearby, a series of great rail tunnels pierce solid

Mayor Steve Ly’s Many Culture, One Elk Grove Dinner of Appreciation and Celebration By: Kim Ho “Elk Grove is a beautiful city because we believe in a vision of inclusion - we are ‘Many Cultures, One Elk Grove’” Mayor Steve Ly. Three weeks ago, Mayor Steve Ly personally handed me an invitation card to his “Many Cultures, One Elk Grove” dinner of appreciation and VOLUME 15.NO.3

celebration event. Although I was not from Sacramento, Ly allowed me to be a part of a community that stands as the 7th most diverse community in the

granite mountain peaks. You can still see and touch the drill holes and blast marks on the rocks. All of this testifies to history that soaks this rugged terrain.

Between two tunnels, a large retaining wall holds up the rail bed (photo). “You’ve got to see this,” Phil exclaimed. Nicknamed the “China Wall,” the rock for the retaining wall was quarried on site from granite bedrock, fitted together without mortar, and still stands 150 years later like so many similar constructions along the route. For well over 120 years, trains ran continuously across the top of this wall as late as the early 1990’s. The tracks have been removed in favor of a newer tunnel nearby, but Union Pacific United States. On the night of Feb 25, I stepped into the hall of Eden Gardens with an overwhelming feeling of joy and merriment. I was in the midst of a great banquet of diversity.

As Ly stepped on the stage, he centered the attention toward his audience expressing that the reason for the night’s celebration is the collective group of people who continues to help make Elk Grove the diverse city that it is today.

And Ly sees himself as not the center of what makes Elk Grove diverse, but rather, he is a part of it. He noted that when he ran for mayor, many people speculated that he would be the first Hmong Mayor. Ly’s response was “No, I’m going to be a mayor who happens to be of Hmong descent”.

Ly emphasized that as people of diversity and inclusion, we need to look beyond discrimination of one’s ethnic background, but rather, direct our minds toward recognizing each other’s

Railroad still owns the original right of way. Tacks might yet be put down and trains may yet run this way again.

By walking in their footsteps and touching what they touched, Phil says that one can definitely feel a spiritual connection with the workers who labored here so many years ago.

Between 1863 and 1869, a Central Pacific Railroad workforce of mostly Chinese men hammered, chiseled, shoveled, and blasted their way over the Sierra Nevada Mountains on their way to meet the Union Pacific Railroad building west from Omaha Nebraska. They met at Promontory Utah in May 1869, thus completing the Transcontinental Railroad.

Who were these workers? We have a serious problem answering that question. There is so much we don’t know. We have so few records of the people who built the railroad, both here in the USA and back home in China. We’ll look into that in the next issue: Telling the Story of the Transcontinental Railroad Workers: Legends and Myths. potential. “When I won the election last November and received the honor from the constituent of Elk Grove, someone emailed me that as a mayor, I was going to fail because my skin color was different”, Ly shared. “They told me “Go back home, refugee.”’ Ly did not let this one email set him back; instead, it fueled his passion to keep advocating for diversity in Elk Grove City.

Ly stressed that the importance of “honoring our ancestry and embracing the diversity of colors and religions” is what makes this land a great country.

America stands out because our core value is to honor the difference, while celebrating our many cultures as one.

As he directed the audience’s attention to the snapdragons at the tables, Ly reminded everyone to “stop and smell the flowers” to describe the beauty of Elk Grove as well as an invitation for everyone to come live in this community Mayor Steve Ly calls home.

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In the March/ April issue of the APANR, I announced that my priorities had changed and it was going to be my last written contribution.

Well, I’m thrilled that Dennis Lee, Editor of the APANR asked me to continue writing for the APANR in the area that has become my life’s passion: Caring for our animal friends. On behalf of the animals, “Thank you Dennis”!

My heritage is similar to many of the Sansei Japanese Americans. My grandparents were farmers, and amongst the creatures that made their homes on the farm were lots of feral cats. Grandma had compassion for all living beings and dutifully fed the cats in spite of there being any objections to helping care for them. It wasn’t unusual for a cat to snuggle up next to me when I was just a baby. I’m grateful to my parents and relatives for nurturing the connection between the humans and animals. They could have entertained the fear sensationalized in today’s trends of the “evil germs” and getting “dirty”.

Back then we didn’t use antiseptic hand sanitizers. It was Ok to get “dirty”. In fact, on the farm it was expected. And all the animals were perceived as our friends; “God’s creatures great and small”.

Uncle Steve lived at the farm so he could take care of Grandma and Grandpa until their departure from their physical bodies. He also ended up taking care of the dogs. All of us cousins loved to be around Uncle Steve. One day, Uncle Steve relented to our requests for another farm dog and sent us to adopt “a”, (emphasis on “a”, meaning “one”) dog. We found two cute little puppies that were full of life and fur and big feet and floppy ears. We were trying to decide which one of the siblings to take and were abruptly interrupted in our discussion by the horrific sounds of the execution of the animals whose lives were destroyed because they had MAY/JUNE 2017

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no home. We heard the dogs barking and in ourselves is the Divine Beauty Grandpa secretly liked having Taro at loudly; yelping and whining louder and within every soul. the church too because he never did tie louder, and then the sounds of their Kimi passed on, and then Grandma him up very securely. distress became dimmer and dimmer - passed on. Taro and Grandpa became Over time, Grandpa and Taro moved then complete silence. They were gassed inseparable. Grandpa and Taro moved slower and slower. Grandpa missed to death. We were young teens. Even side by side in sync with the rhythm of Grandma a lot. When I was alone in Mark, the oldest grandson cried. That the harvest. Every morning, Taro got the walnut orchard, I prayed that they was a moment that those of us that were up at the crack of dawn with Grandpa would always be able to be together there will never forget. and dutifully followed “his” human out because I knew it would be miserable The decision became an easy one. to the fields to harvest the grapes in the for both Taro and Grandpa to live We decided we would take both dogs summer and walnuts in the fall. They without the other. One day soon after, - brother and sister, consequences be returned back to the house together at Taro got hit by a car and still managed what they may. There was no way we the end of every day. Taro was always to crawl on all fours so he could be with were going to let either close by, keeping watch Grandpa when he was harvesting grapes of them be killed. Or on is beloved friend. in the field. Taro passed on a few days society uses terms Every Sunday, when later, and Grandpa followed Taro a like “put to sleep” or Grandpa went to week later. “euthanize” but really, church, Taro showed Taro was there for Grandpa when they were killed because up and interrupted he needed him most. If not for Taro, I they were inconvenient the church service by don’t know how Grandpa would have to someone. Today, making his way down got through the passing of Grandma. thanks to all of the the aisle to the front Every animal that comes into our lives efforts of “Best Friends pew where Grandpa has something to teach us. I believe Jodi and Trixie at the park Animal Sanctuary” was inevitably sleeping God was with Taro to help Grandpa and others, we have a through the sermon. get through the valley of the shadow “No Kill” movement. According to The service was really quite boring for of death, and to usher him through statistics by the SPCA, approximately us kids, so when Taro showed up, it was Heaven’s passage to meet Grandma 1.2 million shelter animals are killed a welcome relief from the monotony, once again. nationwide annually. and a spontaneous combustion of That was the beginning of my first We knew Uncle Steve would agree joy! “Glory halleluiah!” Even when experiences with the animals. During with our decision to bring both dogs Grandpa tied Taro up so he “couldn’t” the next issues of the APANR, I’m going home once we told him what happened go to church, Taro managed to get to take you on a journey of what the to the others. We named the dogs Kimi, loose to find him. I don’t remember animals have taught me, and want to after Grandma, and Taro after Grandpa. anyone being upset about it. I know share with us, and each of their unique, Kimi and Taro became the “official” Jesus welcomes all the animals and the sometimes touching and always powerful greeters whenever anyone arrived at the children into His sanctuary. I think stories. Namaste. farm. They flunked their “watch dog” status though.

When cousin Tanya was about 10 years old, she saw the scraggly-dog Kimi as “beautiful”, and decided she was going to enter Kimi in a local dog contest. By Eric Fong (Policy Analyst, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce) In spite of the advice of well-meaning grownups who cautioned her not to Throughout the United States, Asian Americans are on the rise. According to a be disappointed if Kimi didn’t get any 2012 study by the Pew Research Center, “Asian Americans are the highest-income, recognition, Tanya bathed and bathed best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the United States. They are and brushed and brushed Kimi. Lo and more satisfied than the general public with their lives, finances and the direction behold! Kimi was indeed a beautiful of the country, and they place more value than other Americans do on marriage, fluffy white dog. We didn’t know her parenthood, hard work and career success.”1 With the highest population of fur was white because she was always Asian Americans and the highest number of Asian-owned businesses in the covered in the brown dirt. Kimi came country, nowhere else can these trends be felt more acutely than right here in in second place for best looking dog. I California. wonder what children would turn out The Asian American business demographic is experiencing massive growth. to be like if all we see in them, in others, A UC Riverside study released last year, based on U.S. Census data, shows that

Asian Americans and the Californian Economy

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(continued from page 4) Asian Americans and the Californian Economy Asian-owned businesses are growing faster in number and are generating higher average revenues than total businesses in both California and the U.S. Between 2007 and 2012, the total number of firms increased modestly in California (5%), and in the United States (3.4%), while Asian-owned firms jumped considerably more: 21% in the state, and 25.3% in the nation. Within the same time frame, Asian-American business revenues grew by nearly 40% in the United States and by 27% in California. This compares to much lower revenue growth among total businesses in the nation (9.3%) and in the state (8.2%). Furthermore, AsianAmerican owned businesses have demonstrated the highest increase in revenue over the same time period when compared with other ethnic minority demographics (African-American owned businesses increased 9.63% and Latino owned businesses increased 25.96%).2 The Asian American “segment of the business population has significantly outperformed the norm in terms of establishment growth and establishment size, as measured by revenue per firm,” said Robert Kleinhenz, Executive Director of Research at the Center for Economic Forecasting and Development and one of

the report’s lead authors. Klienhenz continues, “Some of the growth may have been spurred initially by the recession, but the numbers we’re seeing indicate that this group of business owners is truly thriving.”3 One of the most significant driving forces behind Asian American economic growth and success is their entrepreneurial spirit. With a population of approximately 2.2 million, Asian Americans make up 14.7% of California’s population (as of a 2015 U.S. Census estimate).4 However, they account for 17% of the state’s total business, amounting to 604, 870 Asian American-owned firms and a total revenue of $229,512,016 annually.5 Asian Americans not only play an integral role in California’s economy, they are proven assets to California’s economy.

For the immediate future, we can expect the economic status of Asian Americans to continue to improve. California’s technology sector is booming.

As Asian Americans are extremely prevalent in the tech industry both as business owners and employees, we will likely see their economic statistics mirror that of the skyrocketing industry.

1 http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2012/06/19/the-rise-of-asian-americans/ 2 Ibid.

3 https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/asian-owned-firms-growing-faster-generating-higher-revenues-us-california-and-inland-southern 4 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045216/06

5 https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=SBO_2012_00CSA01&prodType=table

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Hmong New Year 2016, A Great Success!

By Major Ty S. Sorci On March 4th, 2017, the greater Hmong Community of Sacramento celebrated another successful Hmong New Year in California. The 2016 California Hmong New Year, (a year end retrospective) held annually at CalExpo was the largest yet. Thousands of attendees from every diverse background and area of this Nation traveled to the Sacramento Region to attend this traditional 3-day event.

Steve Ly, Mayor of Elk Grove City accepted a prestigious award. As the highest elected Hmong in the U.S., he was recognized for being a great leader in the Hmong community and his generous contributions to the New Year festivities. Many were recognized for their contributions making the New Year event successful. It has now become part of the greater American quilt.

Mayor Steve Ly receiving award for support

In accepting this award, Mayor Ly, says, “This is an award for all Americans, and all of “us” as American immigrants…it is only here that all can achieve dreams.” The rest of the night was spent having a wonderful meal and reminiscing on the New Year’s events of 2016. It was also a time to begin the planning for the next New Year. It will only become better and bigger from here.

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East Coast Asians Moving Forward Written by Michelle Wang / Photo by Susan Soo

Pacific Vision Foundation (PVF) in partnership with Asian Pacific Island American Public Affairs (APAPA) held a leadership forum on March 18th, in Flushing, NY, aimed at developing leadership skills, cultivating interest, and awareness among young students and young professionals. The turnout was diverse in many ways — there were dozens of Chinese, Korean and Muslim college students as well as community leaders and social activists.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, State Senator Toby Stavisky, Councilman Peter Koo, District Leader Justin Yu, Deputy Editor of WJ Joe Wei, and the Director of the Culture Center of Taipei in New York, Dr. Jack Huang, were gracious enough to speak and present their thoughts and insights on leadership.

Congresswoman Grace Meng detailed the long and arduous journey that Asian immigrants and Asian Americans had in politics. She also pointed out that the Asian voting turnout rate has been increasing, from 15% to 18%. It is the result of ongoing efforts from the community.

She also strongly suggested that young people apply to their local community board. Anyone who is 16 years or older is eligible to apply, and it is an excellent opportunity for young people to acquire the communication, VOLUME 15.NO.3

speaking, and leadership skills that they will need to be effective in politics.

Councilman Peter Koo emphasized the importance of community support and engagement. Through his own experiences, the Councilman stated that in New York City, the most critical element to winning elections and acquiring the popular vote is to invest in your social and political networks. It’s important to focus on self-confidence and developing your personal strengths. Lastly, Mr. Koo stressed the importance of maintaining one’s composure. Smile at your supporters as well as your critics, do not vilify them.

The APAPA NY Chapter Chairman Justin Yu shared the following four pieces of advice at the forum: 1. DON’T WAIT FOR THE PERFECT MOMENT. 2. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF FAILURE. EMBRACE FAILURE AND LEARN FROM IT. 3. DEFINE WHAT BEING A GOOD LEADER MEANS. 4. ASSERT YOUR OPINION. BE CONSTRUCTIVE.

Deputy Editor of WJ Joe Wei talked about the Chinese Civic movement and the social impact of recent events including the case of Vincent Chin, Wen Ho Lee, and most recently, the police officer Peter Liang.

The Director of Culture Center

of Taipei in New York, Dr. Jack Huang, talked about the importance of fostering and maintaining civic leadership from the perspective of diplomacy.

APAPA NY Chapter and PVF were recognized by the elected officials.

Joanne Choi, Assistant Director of Asian American Affairs to Governor Cuomo presented a congratulatory letter. Adam Chen, Outreach Coordinator for NYC Public Advocate Letitia James presented a proclamation.

Elaine Fan representing NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer presented a Certificate Award and Commendation.

As an organization, we hope we are able to provide actionable insights on leadership and success — ideas and thoughts that students and young professionals can find useful and apply to their daily lives — not sweeping generalities that leave one thinking, “Okay, so how do I put this into practice?”

Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Is Coming To Nevada!

APAPA had a special dinner reception on March 17, 2017 with many of the Las Vegas Asian community leaders for the planned launching of the new Nevada Chapter (APAPA-NVC).

Nelson Huang, APAPA’s Governing Board Member and Southern California Region Chair, with his wife Elizabeth Huang-Los Angeles Chapter President visited Las Vegas. On behalf of APAPA, they

hosted the special reception with APAPA-Nevada Chapter President Rain Liu at the Bund Shanghai Restaurant. More than thirty of the most distinguished leaders of the local Asian community were invited to attend. Nelson shared APAPA’s mission, history, activities, achievement, and challenges facing the Asian population with the guests. A healthy dialogue took place with the community leaders throughout the evening. Constructive suggestions, great support and encouragement were given to APAPA. Las Vegas local news article (in Chinese) can be found at: http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ YboxFGGa8QBgs_BYhbZTMw MAY/JUNE 2017

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A piece of Asian “Americana” preserved!

To some people, Locke is a funky China Town clad in ramshackle western style instead of the typical Chinese style with upturned eaves. It is a major piece Chinese American heritage. Locke Property Development corporation, under the ownership of Clarence Chu from Hong Kong bought the 500 acres plot from the George Locke estate in 1976.

Mr. Chu had a vision to preserve the town’s history and culture. He understood that the owners of the buildings did not own the land on which the buildings sat. He held a town hall meeting to inform that there would not be rental increment for the land, but proposed a vision of a cultural village. A plan that was initially more commercially oriented but later modified towards preservation.

Understanding that the title to individual property was essential, which property owners would be able to receive bank financing to invest in the preservation. Mr. Chu therefore envisioned sub-dividing the entire

parcel to individual properties so that the residents could legally own the building and the land together.

The eventual goal is to make Locke a treasured piece of Asian American

history.

However, Mr. Chu’s corporation had to handle the entire project alone. Also, the cost would eventually drive up the value of the properties where it would be unaffordable to the building owners.

Mr. Chu opted to collaborate with the county government.

By doing so, the county could assist in the preservation of the town as a historical place.

County resources could not be allocated to benefit private property owners.

After negotiations with the county, he eventually sold the 10 acres of town to the county at a loss so that when the land became under the ownership of the county, relevant grants money could be applied. This funded the improvement of sewage, fire suppression systems, heaters for buildings. This greatly helped

Boarding House Museum and the two bodies of governance, Locke Foundation, and Locke Management Association.

After completing the improvements, the county planned selling the subdivided parcels to individual building owners. In January 2005, a wellpublicized ceremony was set up for the building owners to receive the title to the very land, for the mere amount of $3,000 to $ 5,000 each. Connie King, long-time Locke resident, tearfully exclaimed that her dream of home ownership had become a reality. A wonderful partnership made possible by the vision and effort of Mr. Chu and government agencies. This was a victory for the people of Locke and future Americans. Locke will continue to exist as a historical place of Asian American importance.

Elk Grove Unified School District is

Elk Grove Unified is now hiring school support staff such as clerical candidates and para-educators. The district serves a diverse community of over 62,000 students and is looking for dynamic team members to join a thriving district.

For more details about the job fair visit www.connectwithEGUSD.com.

Thursday, June 8, 2017 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Joseph Kerr Middle School 8865 Elk Grove Boulevard, Elk Grove, CA 95624

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San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury Selection A member of the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors asked two members of the Chinese Cultural Society to further their civic involvement; asking them to apply for the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury. Loreen Huey and Sue Mow were randomly chosen from a pool of applicants and are close to completing their 2016-17 terms.

The grand jury is a judicial body, an arm of the court, whose main function is to serve as a sentinel of local agencies receiving government funding.

The grand jury’s mission is either:

1. To confirm that local government officers and employees are administering those agencies honestly, efficiently, and in compliance with the law; or

2. To identify instances of dishonest, inefficient or illegal actions - and to

recommend the development of policies and procedures that will correct those shortcomings.

Sue Mow states that she is finding this entire process interesting and exciting.

The investigations, interviews, tours and ride-alongs have been enlightening.

She even had the personal experience of a high speed ride for a life saving call. The tours of various agencies and interviews have been informative and gratifying.

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Loreen Huey and Sue Mow

The diversity of the grand jury is one of the things that have most impressed Loreen Huey. She states that the people on the jury come from various counties and are intelligent with a wide variety of life experiences. This mix helps during interviews and investigations to give many different perspectives.

Huey observes that she would not have made their acquaintances in any other way.

They both would encourage those with the time and interest to submit an application for the San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury. The Grand Jury should reflect the diversity of the county it represents, with respect to location, ethnicity and gender. The process for selection of next year’s jury has begun.

The application form can be found at http://www.sjcourts.org/general-info/ civil-grand-jury.

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“What’s Your Story? WHY WE ARE WHO WE ARE TODAY” As you read this, I hope you are able to take time to appreciate not just what is ahead, but what has been accomplished to get you here.

“Remember to take a moment to enjoy the milestones in life...for they are often why we endured the journey.” #WokStarWokism 84 This past month, I have enjoyed many conversations with different people representing different cultures and communities. It’s interesting to note that as I listen closely to their stories, those that are older in years and also have come from another country reflect often on the journey they took to get to where they are currently.

In my own life, I have experienced many personal challenges over the past few years and can now better understand why it is hard to relate to someone that has experienced something that others have not.

For instance, I have served on the Board of Healings In Motion (Link: http://www.

HealingsInMotion.org), a 10+ year non-profit organization dedicated to stroke awareness and prevention as well as caregiving over the past several years. I have facilitated and shared about various resources and also listened to many great speakers and instructors on the topics relating to stroke and caregiving. However, when I became a part-time caregiver myself for my father, it was only then that I realized the things I didn’t know. “Do we really need to share about different topics such as taking care of yourself as you take care of others...isn’t that obvious? Why would we need to teach that to anyone?”

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to that person and their journey in the older stages of their life.

In the same way when people come from a different country, often there are many things they have experienced that are unique to their specific “journey” to the United States. I really appreciate and am grateful to be able to connect with many people representing different cultures that are dedicated in some fashion to helping their own ethnic community.

One individual that has impacted my life by her example is Mai Nguyen who had helped put the local “Little Saigon” national designation in South Sacramento and is also the primary founder of the Greater Sacramento Vietnamese-American Chamber Of Commerce (GSVACC). Being a past Executive Founding Board Member of the GSVACC, I had been able to witness firsthand the excitement and challenges of helping give back to your own community. I learned so much about the Vietnamese community and also experienced not just the cultural aspect, but also the generational aspect of the strengths and traditions of the Vietnamese. I saw the things that were inspiring and the obstacles that challenge that specific culture.

I also have the privilege of serving on the Chinese American Council Of Sacramento (CACS 501(c)4) and within this past year along with others like Keith Johnson, Alex and Joyce Eng, Honey Lum, Cathy Wei, and Franc Martinez…I was able to assist in forming the CACS extension...the 501(c)3 CACS Foundation to support the general public. Since I am Chinese, I get a chance to learn much more about my own heritage and also what is important to the Chinese community as a whole.

Recently, I felt honored in representing the CACS Foundation along with the CACS President Honey Lum at the APAPA Youth Scholarship dinner. As I saw all the upcoming recipients receive their awards, it took me back to when I also was their age. I thought about the fact that “time really does go by ever so quickly.”

I am so grateful and excited about the future and what the next generation will bring. Many of you reading this are probably part of my generation...the end of the baby boomers and the beginning of Generation X. IN SUMMARY…My hope is that you can take some time to learn about your heritage and what makes you who you are today. Don’t take anything for granted and miss out on your opportunity to express your gratitude to those that are around you and have traveled the journey to get you here. “LIVE with knowledge, LIVE with honor and pride, LIVE with appreciation for those that have paved the way for the opportunities you have today.”

About the Columnist:

WokStar Legend Maker Jim T. Chong (The “Wok Star” Legend Maker & Publicist) is a licensed financial professional, a radio show personality on MONEY 1055FM Fri 2pm Serving Greater Sacramento (with Cami Ferry “The Theatre Queen”), and an accomplished author speaker, and a Megacultural / Master Emcee as the Wok Star. Jim is also a National and International bestselling/multibook author, professional speaker, and community leader within multiple communities.

Direct Line: (209)534-8000 Email: jtc.wokstar@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Join the Locke Annual Pacific Spring Fesitval on May 20th, 2017! The town of LOCKE is the last remaining self-contained rural Chinese town in the United States. This little area is filled with culture and rich in Chinese history. Located just outside of Walnut Grove and Sacramento, the town was an area where many of the Chinese visited and settled as they migrated into the United States. The town consists of approximately 80 local residents and serves as a historical landmark of the journey containing the stories and traditions of the Chinese. http://www.Locke-Foundation.org One of the oldest Chinese organizations in Northern California is the Chinese American Council of Sacramento (CACS) which was founded by Frank Fat with the goal of giving the Chinese Community a voice. Originally, the 30 year organization was set up as a 501(c)4 which is now also combined with the recently formed 501(c)3 under the name of CACS Combined Logo CACS Foundation. While the foundation focuses on serving The general populous and mission of preserving the Chinese Heritage and traditions, the original organization continues its work in advocacy and helping promote the voice and issues that affect the Asian Pacific Islanders as a whole. Website: http://www.CACSWeb.org

APAPA Youth Scholarship Dinner VOLUME 15.NO.3

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The SACC Presents

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Cannabis Talks

2017 Chinese New Year Celebration Stockton , CA Photos by Tim Ulmer

CANNABIS TALKS: THE EVOLUTION OF MARIJUANA ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Thursday, May 11, 2017 | 11:30am - 1:00pm University of the Pacific - Sacramento Campus, the Lecture Hall 3227 Fifth Ave., Sacramento, CA 95817

Members: $20 | Non-members: $40 (Lunch will be provided) Register at: CannabisTalks.Eventbrite.com

JOIN US Join us for the first event in a series of discussions as we talk about how the marijuana industry has evolved and will continue to impact the local and state economy as it emerges into a $10 billion industry in California.

The discussion will be moderated by Rob Fong, RKF Consulting. Speakers include:

Lori Ajax

Joe Devlin

Hanspeter Walter

Nasser Azimi

Chief of the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation, State of California

Chief of Cannabis Policy & Enforcement, City of Sacramento

Shareholder, Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard, Cannabis Law

President, Teranomic Software

CONTACT US

.

Please email Stephanie Tam at stam@sacasiancc.org.

www.sacasiancc.org | 916.446.7883

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From a Refugee to the Halls of the Ivy Leagues

By Regina Rederford

Dr. Sondra Roeuny was born in a refugee camp in Thailand.

Shortly after her birth, Sondra’s family left a wartorn country to come to the United States of America (U.S.). Although she was spared from the horrific atrocities that were committed against Cambodians during the Khmer Rouge regime, the mental and emotional scars were and are still there. No one ever forgets their experiences; they are stored in the memory bank. They are passed on from one generation to the next. The unpleasant memories have a way of oozing out over time; they can affect a person in a negative way.

Nevertheless, her family’s resiliency played a major role in her ability to overcome barriers.

After arriving in the U.S., her mother began the transition by learning English. Learning a new language and living in

a new community is sure to bring about anxiety, fear, worry and uncertainty…however, her mother persevered toward getting acclimated into building a new life for Sondra. Also, as Sondra began to get versed in the English language, she developed a passion for reading “I would escape through reading - I would become the characters,” she said. Learning how to read one is accumulating knowledge. Some say knowledge is power. Sondra’s mom taught her that “people can take away your money, status, home...but knowledge they can’t take away.” It is that life lesson that propelled her to pursue higher education.

Throughout Sondra’s childhood, her family didn’t talk about their experience as refugees. It was too painful; not only that, they shielded her from the knowledge of it. Their first and foremost concern was for her emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs starts from that premise. In fact, a person will not make it to

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their “self-actualization,” which is a place in one’s life where they come to grips with the purposes and the meaning of their life. Questions start forming in the mind: Why am I here? Who am I? And what should I be doing? This place of (selfactualization) cannot be attained unless a person’s basic fundamental needs are met. To get their one passes through stages: physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem and then self-actualization. Her family probably didn’t have the knowledge of Maslow’s pyramid, what they did have, and all humans have, is the intuitive knowledge that they are endowed with rights: life, liberty and the ability to pursue happiness.

As Sondra begin to matriculate through higher education: University of California, Berkeley, where she obtained a bachelor’s in Social Welfare, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, master in public policy and more recently, a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in Workplace Learning and Leadership.

It was early on in her education that she really began to learn about her family’s experience and important role of civic and community engagement. “I credit my education

at UC Berkeley for awaking my consciousness about my family’s experience and specifically, the role that I have to make a difference in this world so that others do not have to experience what my family endured,” says Sondra. Looking at her matriculation journey, you see a plan for her unfolding - Educating, advocating and encouraging community and civic involvement.

This is Asian Pacific American Heritage month - where culture, traditions, and the history of the Asian American are celebrated here in the United States. Although Sondra joins in with the celebration, it sometimes nudges her in the wrong way because she believes that every day should be about learning, understanding, and celebrating the rich history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. After all, we are Americans, but as a society, we are not there yet.

Last but not at all the least; Sondra’s family is her foundation.

Her family keeps her going. They instilled in her deep values that transcend time, space, and culture.

They give her unconditional love, acceptance, and the courage to take on the world. These attributes are what allowed her to flourish and to embrace concepts such as family, freedom, and civic engagement not just in theory but in actualization.

The Asian Pacific Islander News Review (APANR) is looking forward to building, maintaining and expanding a relationship with Dr. Roeuny.

Happy Heritage Month

178 West Adams Street Stockton, CA 95204 Phone: (209) 327-2407 MAY/JUNE 2017

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California Asian Pacific Islander (API) Elected Leaders Coming Together in the Spirit of Unity

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Hard To Believe presents a serious investigation into one of the most horrifying medical crimes of our time, that questions: “Why is it that so few people seem to be paying attention?”

Winner of 14 Awards

By Major Ty Sorci On March 1, 2017, CC Yin, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Founder & Chair hosted a Joint Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC) at the Yin Ranch. The members began with a friendly competition of archery. Everyone participated with Assemblyman Ash Kalra hitting the mark like a champion.

The Caucus spent the afternoon working collaboratively to discuss important issues, identifying ways to improve the quality of life of Californians and how to promote the talents of API Americans. Some ideas included a Joint APIA Caucus “Wall of Fame” at the Sacramento International Airport, an APIA Heritage month ceremony on the Senate or Assembly floor followed by a gala was proposed. Cultural heritage events to honor API Americans who have contributed to the Golden State of California will be held in the future.

CC Yin, says, “I am happy and proud to see that APAPA had the opportunity to host the first Joint California API Legislative Caucus retreat at Yin Ranch in an effort to build a unified bi-partisan API leadership in our State Capitol.”

The event was a great success. The California Legislators are certainly willing to lead. However, APAPA recognizes that America as a whole still has a long ways to go to achieve APAPA’s mission and goals.

www.HardtoBelieveMovie.com You are invited to a screeing of the documentary “Hard to Believe” and a Q&A session.

Saturday, June 17, 2017, 2-4pm

Sacramento County Sheriff’s Florin Service Center 7000 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95823

Sponsored by Chinese American Council of Sacramento

East Coast Asians Moving Forward Photos by Susan Soo

Forum Team: Katie Zhu, Marilla Li (Moderator), Shelley Wu(Moderator), Cheryl Tang(MC), Kenneth Hoe(Moderator), Michelle Wang, Vincent Lee, and Paul Wang APAPA NY Chapter Chairman & District Leader, Justin Yu and Director of Culture Center of Taipei in New York, Dr. Jack Huang

State Senator Stavisky and MC Cheryl Tang

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Home Movies Shed Light On Central Valley History and Culture

By David Hosley

Before anyone could use a cell phone to make movies, families recorded their most precious moments on film shot on 8 millimeter, Super-8 and 16 millimeter cameras.

Now the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is bringing home movies filmed in the Central Valley to a much larger audience as part of their mission to present Asian American experiences to the public.

An hour long documentary was a highlight of the recent 2017 CAAMfest in San Francisco and presenting home movies from several sources, including the Bohulano family of Stockton and the Brian Gee family of Sacramento.

“This year’s festival featured the Asian American home movies from the Central Valley, featuring live

music from a four piece jazz band lead by Mark Izu and narration by Brenda Wong Aoki,” says Center for Asian American Media Executive Director Stephen Gong, “The reason we chose the Central Valley was the understanding and appreciation we had for some time of the rich history of Asian American communities throughout the Central Valley, and a concern that this heritage was not recognized by the broader culture.”

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If someone in your family was a gadget guy back in the day, you probably were filmed on a family vacation, birthday party, school graduation or running through the sprinklers on a hot Valley day. And you didn’t know they were providing a glimpse of Asian American life that was worthy of collecting and conserving. Home movies have been used in documentaries such as We Came To Grow: Japanese Americans in the Central Valley, 1869-1941 and Bittersweet Roots: The Chinese in California’s Heartland.

In addition to leading CAAM, which is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Gong is an expert on the preservation of film. And he’s looking for more home movies from the 1920’s to the 1980’s that can be digitized in a format that will make them available for generations to come. If you have home movies to share, use this link to find out more about the Memories To Light project: http://caamedia.org/memoriestolight/ participate/. The project is funded by Cal Humanities and ArtWorks and has resulted in two other documentaries,

one in 2016 featuring Chinese American home movies, and Mark Decena’s The War Inside, which tells the story of his upbringing with a Filipino father and Japanese mother.

A number of Central Valley community organizations are collecting Asian American history, and their role is invaluable for sociologists, historians and anthropologists. The Sikh community has established the Coming To America Museum in Yuba City. The Livingston-Merced Japanese American Citizens League chapter has an archive of Merced County JapaneseAmerican documents and photos. The Filipino American National Historical Society recently opened a museum in downtown Stockton. The Chinese American Museum of Northern California is in Marysville. There are a number of other archives in the Central Valley which underline the region’s significance as a central place for many Asian American communities.

There’s no better time to visit these important cultural treasure troves, or if you have home movies, to revisit your family history and possibly share it with others.

HMONG STORY

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THE HEAD START ADVANTAGE

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APPLY TODAY INFANT CARE & PRESCHOOL

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(209) 468-4933 | headstartsanjoaquin.org

2017 OCA National Convention Coming to Sacramento FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 23 March 2017 CONTACT: Kendall T. Kosai | Director 202 223 5500 | kkosai@ocanational.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is pleased to announce that the 2017 OCA National Convention is coming to Sacramento, California.

The OCA National Convention is a premier event for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community that brings hundreds of chapter members, affiliates, and partners from across the country for a three-day event. This year the National Convention will be held at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento in Sacramento, California from August 3rd through 5th “Throughout nearly four decades of advocacy, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates has prided itself on bringing leaders in the AAPI community together to have the important discussions that are necessary to move our community VOLUME 15.NO.3

forward,” said Sharon M. Wong, OCA National President. “We are happy to be able to bring the Convention back to Sacramento at this critical juncture in our nation’s history, and hope that our convention can be the start of new conversations on the state of Asian Pacific America.”

“The theme for this year is I3: Innovate, Inspire, Ignite, in honor of the many youth and leadership development efforts that our chapter leads each year. We hope that each attendee will leave with fresh ideas and networks they develop at convention and deploy them in their local communities,” said Jinky Dolar and Linda Ng, Convention Co-Chairs. “As the state capitol of California and an emerging destination for business and residency, Sacramento is poised to be a center of innovation and inspiration. We are excited to share the unique Sacramento community with the nation, and look forward to igniting our attendees’ passions for advancing the AAPI community.”

More information on the 2017 OCA National Convention in Sacramento can be found on OCA’s official convention website: www.ocanationalconvention.org.

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs).

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sacasiancc

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Lawn seating starts at: Members: $24 Non-members: $30

2017 Chinese New Year Celebration Stockton , CA Photos by Tim Ulmer

Group pricing available. Please check Eventbrite for details.

Visit our website for more information and group pricing at www.sacasiancc.org Join us for a special performance by artist DeeKay Lee

The SACC has partnered with the Sacramento River Cats for

API HERITAGE NIGHT

MEMBERSHIP MIXER (inside the Solon Club) SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2017 | 5:00pm - 7:00pm Raley Field | 400 Ballpark Dr. | West Sacramento, CA 95691 REGISTER TODAY! 2017apiheritagenight.eventbrite.com

JOIN US Come celebrate API Heritage Night at Raley Field! Join us for your favorite ballpark foods & refreshments. Tickets allow for early access into SACC Membership Mixer in the Solon Club.

Food will be complimentary until 7:00pm. Game time is at 7:05pm.

CONTACT US Please email Stephanie Tam at stam@sacasiancc.org Please note that your Eventbrite ticket will not allow entry into the stadium unless accompanied by a game ticket. There will be a SACC booth located outside of will call, be sure to exchange your Eventbrite ticket for a Sacramento River Cats game ticket before entering the stadium.

www.sacasiancc.org | 916.446.7883

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Chinese Railroad Workers and the Legend of Cape Horn: Romantic Stories or Factual Truth?

By: Kim Ho

If you go to Colfax, California and drive along Hwy 174, you will cross the “View of Cape Horn Promontory North Fork American River Canyon”, a 1999 bronze stone plaque with the following description: Dedicated to the memory of thousands of Chinese who worked for Charles Crocker on the Central Pacific Railroad. They were lowered over the face of Cape Horn Promontory in wicker Bosun’s chairs to a point 1332 feet above the canyon floor. The ledge created for this railbed was completed May 1866. They are honored for their work ethic, and timely completion of the transcontinental rails ending in Promontory, Utah, May 1869.

When the transcontinental railroad construction began in January 1864, approximately 21 Chinese workers were hired. But by the end of February 1867, Chinese immigrants made up

about 90% of the workforce. For the Central Pacific Railroad construction alone, about 10,000 to 15,000 Chinese were hired (University). The Chinese immigrants became the backbone of this project. One particular site that the Chinese workers worked on involved hazardous and risky operation of blasting and digging through Cape Horn, a three-mile roadbed curving along steep terrain of the Sierra Nevada that was at least 1300 feet above the American River east of Colfax.

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in wicker “Bosun’s chair” to plant explosives and clear the area for tracks, there were conflicting reports on how the work was exactly executed. There is a debate among historians whether or not this account was true. On one hand, historians told accounts of Chinese workers being lowered down in Bosun’s chair, a wooden plank or canvas chair hung by ropes, to plant explosives on the side of the cliff. Once the fuse was lit, they had to signal for the people above to hastily pull them up before the dynamites exploded. This image of Chinese workers being lowered over the cliff side in a Bosun’s chair became the legend of Cape Horn. On the other hand, historians like Edson T. Strobridge argued that there were no written reports from engineers, no recorded newspapers or images of Bosun’s chair being used during the construction of the railroad tracks at Cape Horn.

In The Central Pacific Railroad and the Legend of Cape Horn: Laborers in Baskets, Fact or Fiction, Stobridge offers an alternative explanation to how the Central Pacific Railroad around Cape Horn were constructed.

He stated that according to Edwin B. Crocker and Collis P. Huntington, “sidehill rock cutting” was the method used for the initial construction of the Central Pacific Railroad, and a firsthand description by Robert L. Harris, a trained Civil Engineer, explains how men were suspended by ropes to accomplish the task (Strobridge). This report was the only exception statement

made by the CPRR Chief Engineer, Samuel S. Montague in his November 25, 1865 Report of the Chief Engineer.

Strobridge describes the rest of research descriptions about Bosun’s chair only surfaced after 1920s, 62 years after the construction, as “romantic but not true.” (Strobridge).

Works Cited Strobridge, Edson T. The Central Pacific Railroad and the Legend of Cape Horn 1865-1866. 2001. 07 April 2017. <http://cprr.org/Museum/Cape_ Horn.html>.

University, Stanford. Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Project at Stanford Univerisity . 2017. 2017 April 2017. <http://web.stanford. edu/group/chineserailroad/cgi-bin/ wordpress/faqs/>.

The API Community Says Good-bye to Sam K. Ong

By Lucy Oback

Sam was born in Ping On Lay Village (Hoiping County) in Guangdong Province. At the age of seventeen in the shadow of the Chinese Exclusion Act, he immigrated to the United States as a “paper son” in search of a better life and joined his father in Sacramento. The Ong Ko Met family association played an important role in his transition to life in the U.S. Sam voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army, and proudly served his country in the Korean War. He graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in

Pharmacy. He returned to Sacramento and worked 30 years as a neighborhood pharmacist while raising a family of four children with his wife Peggy.

One of APAPA’s early founders, Sam helped to establish APAPA and continued to contribute his time to support APAPA’s programs.

He served as president of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Sacramento chapter, 20012003. He launched OCA’s first Reception at the State Capitol, started the annual Lunar New Year Senior Luncheon, and advocated vigorously for the preservation of the historic Chinese immigrant town of Locke in south Sacramento County. As an advocate for senior and immigrant services, he helped launch the Asian Community Center Transportation Services (ACC Rides) and assisted the Chinese community with medical interpretation.

Sam served as Commander of the American Legion Gung Ho Post No. 696, Senior Commander of the Veteran for Foreign Wars Chung Mei Post 8358, and Commander of the Veterans Affiliated Council of Sacramento and Vicinity (one of only three Asians to serve as leader). He advocated for honoring Veterans for their service and the expansion of Veteran cemeteries in California.

Sam served for an unprecedented twelve years as president of the Ong Ko Met Family Association. He instituted equal voting rights for women and transitioned the association’s official language from Chinese to English.

His vision was to engage the younger generation in its Chinese community and heritage.

Sam epitomized the American dream. We will remember Sam for his dedication, perseverance, patriotism, service, humor, and love.

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2017 Chinese New Year Celebration Stockton , CA Photos by Tim Ulmer

To find out more visit the following websites:

www.theabella1.worldgn.com www.qihealth.worldgn.com www.infinity777.worldgn.com

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Dr. Lilly Cheng’s Field of Dreams

By Leonard Novarro Photos by Rosalynn Carmen

When I was in elementary school in the dark ages, going international was a matter of wandering from one Brooklyn neighborhood to another.

Going from Bensonhurst, mostly Italian, to Brighton Beach, mostly Jewish, was a big deal.

Our grandchildren in San Diego, on the other hand, go global every day by traveling from one classroom to another at Winter Gardens Elementary campus, also home to Riverview International Academy for Kindergarten and First Grade, where they learn and speak Mandarin and where an international day is celebrating cultures from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America in song, dance, ethnic dress and not just playing mah jongg.

The Winters Garden/Riverview curriculum is one of immersion, a form of education in which everything in the classroom promotes Chinese culture and attitude, from notes on the bulletin board to discussion in class, homework after school and singing and recitation at assemblies. Math, sciences, physical education, and grammar are in Mandarin while student responses to VOLUME 15.NO.3

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teacher questions are predominantly in Chinese.

“I think Riverview has opportunities for children that most schools are unable to provide for children. So for students to be bilingual and bicultural – it’s a huge opportunity for them...for their own brains and for their own cognitive development, but also in their future to be more aware of the world around them,” says Brian Thurman, Riverview’s principal.

The one-woman dynamo who made this happen is world-renowned linguist and language scholar Dr. Lilly Cheng, who, with the financial help of the Chinese government, launched the third Confucius Institute in California in 2009 at San Diego State University (SDSU). The first two were in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Today, Confucius Institutes, dedicated to the six arts of the famed first-century Chinese philosopher, are sprinkled throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Ten years ago, it was almost unheard of to hear Mandarin spoken except in Chinese circles. Soon after opening two modest offices on the SDSU campus, the Institute launched seven classrooms. Today, there are Mandarin classrooms in 28 elementary and middle schools, with Chinese language students numbering almost 17,000.

In addition, the Confucius Institute’s annual Chinese New Year celebration in Balboa Park has become one of the largest on the West Coast.

“The small seed of an idea was planted and now its blossoming,” says Cheng, a sort of Johnny – or is it Jeanie ? – Appleseed of Chinese culture. And she’s not even Chinese.

At least not from China. Dr. Cheng was born and raised in Taiwan, came to the United States in 1968 to study

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speech pathology and has since lectured on the topic throughout the world.

“We have about 6,000 languages in the world. Every one of them excites me,” Dr. Cheng, a professor of speech

language pathology at SDSU, has said. While spreading the word about Chinese culture and language is not actually part of her job description, it is has been her undying mission. . “I started doing this long before the Confucius Institute. What I’m doing is what I’m doing. It’s my personal mission,” she said.

In a month, that mission will come to fruition with the opening of the Confucius Six Arts Center, devoted to the understanding of the Chinese culture and the teachings of the philosopher. The center, in a refurbished section on the first floor of SDSU’s Professional Studies and Fine Arts building and financed by a generous donation from the government of China, will be a hall for Chinese culture, featuring displays, calligraphy, art, videos, rotating exhibits and even Chinese tea ceremonies, which Dr. Cheng also masters.

“You will enter the building through here into a tea room,” she says. Then, pointing to a spot on an architectural rendering, she adds: “That is being built out as we speak, beneath a round dome and a square yard, representing heaven and earth.

This is the yin and yang.”

The six art forms of Confucius will be taught or lectured about here: rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy and mathematics. Archery and charioteering undoubtedly will be a challenge – but not daunting for Dr. Cheng.

The scholar was instrumental years ago in having the area between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, south of Market Street, declared the city’s historic Chinatown district. It wasn’t until the 1960s, when San Diego had its first Asian elected official – Tom Hom, who went from City Council to California Assembly and by the 1970s was developing the Gaslamp Quarter. Hom has remained a close friend of Dr. Cheng over the years and they both serve on the board of APAPA (Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association).

Dr. Cheng has satisfied the interest in Chinese culture by also organizing close to 70 trips to China for local government officials, business leaders, students, teachers and anyone interested. With some of the recent China bashing over trade policies – much of it from the current presidential administration – immersion couldn’t be more valuable. “Think global and act local,” Dr. Cheng, paraphrasing Earth Day founder David Brower, is fond of saying as she stresses the importance of honing an international perspective on life in general.

When she started the Confucius Institute, someone suggested that she begin introducing the concept to universities. Her reply was “It’s already there.” Instead, she said, “Go deep into the barren land...to cultivate the fields.”

By June, look for those fields to be flowering.

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President Donald J. Trump Proclaims May 2017 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month A PROCLAMATION This month, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and we recognize the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that enrich our Nation.

1 percent of pilots in the United States were women. As a member of The Ninety-Nines, an organization of women pilots, she paved the way for thousands of women to take to the skies.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have distinguished themselves in the arts, literature, and sports. They are leading researchers in science, medicine, and technology; dedicated teachers to our Nation’s children; innovative farmers and ranchers; and distinguished lawyers and government leaders.

There are more than 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Each day, through their actions, they

Dr. Sammy Lee, a Korean American who passed away last December, exemplified the spirit of this month. Dr. Lee was the first Asian American man to win an Olympic gold medal, becoming a platform diving champion at the 1948 London Olympics only 1 year after graduating from medical school. To fulfill his dreams, Dr. Lee overcame several obstacles, including his local childhood pool’s policy of opening to minorities only once per week. Later in life he was subject to housing discrimination (even after 8 years of military service). Dr. Lee nevertheless tirelessly served his country and community, including by representing the United States at the Olympic Games, on behalf of several Presidents.

Katherine Sui Fun Cheung also embodied the spirit of this month.

In 1932, she became the first Chinese American woman to earn a pilot license. At the time, only about MAY/JUNE 2017

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make America more vibrant, more prosperous, and more secure. Our Nation is particularly grateful to the many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces, protecting the Nation, and promoting freedom and peace around the world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2017 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Congress, by Public Law 102–450, as amended, has also designated the month of May each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” I

encourage all Americans to learn more about our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentyeighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Photo by Lucas Jackson/Reuters

39th Annual Senior Awareness Day Wednesday, May 24, 2017

8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

San Joaquin County Fairgrounds www.SJSeniorDay.org or call: 209-468-1104

E-mail: seniorawarenessday@sjgov.org

Community Information and Resources BINGO * EXHIBITORS * CLASSIC CAR SHOW * ENTERTAINMENT * FOOD *WELLNESS WALK * SENIOR ART SHOW *FREE PARKING / ENTRANCE*

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) provides free shuttle service to Senior Awareness Day event at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.

Starting at 7:30am– shuttle buses will leave every half hour from SJ Delta College, SHIMA 2 (S2) parking lot at corner of Pershing / Venetian. Returning buses will leave the fairgrounds every half hour until 2:30pm. If you have any questions please contact RTD Mobility Manager Toan Tran at 209-467-6692 and/or Kathryn Thomas 209-468-1627.

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Cross One Item off of Your Bucket List!

By Grant Din

Are you one of many who are involved in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community but haven’t been to Angel Island yet?

Have you thought, “Yes, I know that’s a very historic place and I have to go sometime”? Summer is a great time to go! Make your way to San Francisco or Tiburon and spend an enjoyable day learning and enjoying being on an island.

The Immigration Station on Angel Island was in use between 1910 and 1940 and over one million people from eighty countries were processed there, both entering the U.S. and heading back to their homelands. Built in large part to enforce the Chinese Exclusion Acts, which were in effect from 1882 ton 1943, the station staff also processed people including Japanese picture brides, Indian farmers, Korean students, Filipinos after

1934 when it was in the process of becoming independent, Jews escaping Nazi control, and Russians after the revolution there. Architect I.M.Pei and artist Tyrus Wong are among those who immigrated through the island.

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The San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 created an opportunity for many Chinese to circumvent these acts, by claiming to have been born in the U.S. and getting a new birth certificate at the Hall of Records. This allowed them to bring their children to the U.S., or other young people who they claimed to have fathered during journeys to China. Federal officials questioned the likelihood of these familial relationships and subjected Chinese immigrants to intensive interrogations to determine if these people were really related. If denied admission, the Chinese would appeal their cases, often remaining on the island for weeks, months, or even years.

During their lengthy detentions, the Chinese would write poems and carve them on the barracks walls, creating masterpieces that are captured in Him Mark Lai, Genny Lim, and Judy Yung’s Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island 1910 – 1940. This writing served to save the immigration buildings in 1970 when park ranger Alexander Weiss learned about them, then told professors at San Francisco State University. The Asian American community organized to save the Immigration Station from demolition and secured federal, state, and private funding to restore the buildings and preserve them for generations to come.

When you visit, you can see the actual barracks where many of our

Bunk Beds

Poetry Wall ancestors stayed while awaiting questioning by immigration officials.

You can walk through the halls where they slept, ate, and had to prove that they could remain in this country.

Knowledgeable staff and volunteers, many who are descendants of Angel Island immigrants, can lead you through the building.

The Immigration Station is open from Wednesdays through Sundays

throughout the year. For further information on visiting, links to ferry companies, shuttles, and tours, visit www.aiisf.org/visit. You can also make a day of it by combining a visit to the Immigration Station with a hike around the island or take a trek to the top Mt. Caroline Livermore for a spectacular 360 degree view of San Francisco Bay. You’ll be glad you did!

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2017 APAPA Internship & Scholarship Gala

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Community Partners

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2017 APAPA Internship & Scholarship Gala Group Photo

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Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Albany Chapter Civic Leadership

By HP Wang

ALBANY, NY – On March 4, 2017, The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association Albany Chapter (APAPA-ALC) held its first Civic Leadership Forum for Asian Pacific Islander (API) American communities in the Greater Capital Region of New York at the Hilton Garden Inn, Clifton Park, NY. The Forum featured five keynote speakers representing state, county and local government, as well as local school boards including Neil Breslin (NY State Senate), Ron Kim (NY State Assembly), Kathy Jimino (Rensselaer County Executive), Phil Barret (Clifton Park Town Supervisor), Gary Dillalo (Shenendehowa School Board Member). Over seventy participants attended the Forum, including leaders from Bangladeshi, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Nepalese, Pakistani, and Vietnamese communities.

Fei-Fei Hagen, a freshman from Albany, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

A beautiful violin rendition of the National Anthem was performed by Will Hu, an APAPA-ALC member.

HP Wang, APAPA-ALC Chair, welcomed everyone to the Forum and spoke about the mission of APAPA including voter registration, leadership development, and community service. HP mentioned a long-term “deliverable,” which the Forum will help facilitate, the election of a member to a local School Board within five years. Anthony Ng, Executive Director of Pacific Vision Foundation (PVF), introduced the sponsorship of the Civic Leadership Forum in the U.S. and David Wu, former US Congressman, facilitated the discussions.

Senator Breslin shared with the audience the story on the bigotry his ancestors faced when moving from Ireland to United States. He encouraged the audience, telling VOLUME 15.NO.3

participants to “Come his family ran and together, you are a was soon forced to force.” Senator Breslin close, and why he also urged the API chose public service Communities to to represent small participate and act business owners, just persistently, not just like his parents. He Attendee with Executive Jimino upon crisis. prided himself in Executive Jimino defying stereotypes, explained in detail on the services that such as playing football as he was local government provides, how the growing up. This history of persistence county-level government interfaces was of great value when representing with the state-level and municipal-level. Flushing as one of only two API New Her passion for public service touched York State Legislators. everyone in the audience when she The elected officials addressed the said, “At the end of every day, when I spirited questions from the audience, look in the mirror, I feel happy because ranging from national issues on I know I helped someone.” school vouchers, executive order on Clifton Park Town Supervisor travel ban, and the recent surge in Barret greeted the audience warmly, hate crimes, to where they can obtain recounting how vibrant the town of information on local government, and Clifton Park has become during his advocating the creation of cricket fields tenure, and challenged the audience to in public parks. During lunch, Jerry participate in public service, with the Liu, APAPA-ALC Vice President, message… “Why haven’t you?” The key, reminded everyone of the upcoming he said, is to focus on things that bring internship program and the second us together, rather than dwell on things Civic Leadership Forum. that tear us apart.

This Forum provided local API Shenandoah School Board Member communities a platform to learn about Dillalo spoke passionately about the public service, interact with elected nation’s public school system, providing officials, find common ground and start the educated citizens with what is working together towards developing necessary for democracy. He shared his an informed, engaged and vibrant API concerns regarding potential funding Community in the Capital Region of cuts for public schools, particularly New York. inner city school systems.

Assemblyman Ron Kim vividly recounted the small grocery shop

Attendees and Senator Breslin

Attendees with Assemblyman Ron Kim

Will Hu

HP Wang, Chair of APAPA-ALC

Attendees with Supervisor Barret, Senator Breslin and Anthony Ng (Pacific Vision Foundation) MAY/JUNE 2017

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