Celebrating the Years and the Excellence

OVERSEAS CHINESE: One of Chinatown’s most powerful organizations, the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) also known as the Six Companies, and the Chinese Consolidated Women’s Association (CCWA) teamed up to celebrate the 50th Annual Overseas Chinese Day at a gala banquet at the Far East Café on Oct. 18.

Distinguished Chinese Americans who have achieved excellence in their fields and whose work has greatly impacted their communities were honored: California Insurance Commissioner Harry Low, Judge Edward M. Chen, founder of Clontech Laboratories Dr. Kenneth Fong, community leader Darlene Mar and filmmaker/actress Joan Chen.

Heading the program were CCBA president Michael Gee, CCWA president Margaret Lim, and event co-chairs Mae Woo and Esther Li. Co-emcees Doris Grover and Felix Chu kept the program moving swiftly, a refreshing change from former days when speeches were endless.

Left to right: John Affeldt, Asian Perinatal Advocates’ board president; Betty Chen, representative from majority leader Kevin Shelley’s office; and Mai-Mai Ho, Asian Perinatal Advocates’ executive director.

This fairly young social service organization benefits many newer immigrants from Southeast Asia, addressing language access problems and assisting immigrant families to overcome a variety of other difficulties.

Special honors were presented to Heather Fong of the San Francisco Police Department by Police Chief Earl Sanders; Tessie Guillermo was presented an award by Dr. Edward Chow; Kaiser Permanente was honored by Thuy Yhi Nguyen, assistant to Assemblywoman Wilma Chan; and recently elected San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Mabel Teng presented an award to the San Francisco Rights Commission.

Honoree Yeni Wong (left) is presented a framed photo of Angel Island Immigration Station by co-chairpersons Kathy and Dr. Rolland Lowe.

History and pictures from the past 50 years were ingeniously displayed electronically through a program developed and demonstrated by member Wallace Ah Tye. Guests selected information and pictures to view on the monitor via modem.

Special guests included Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero, Supervisor of Monterey County Fernando Armenta, a representative of State Rep. Theresa Martinez and a representative of State Sen. Bruce McPherson.

History came alive when keynote speaker Professor Sandy Lyon talked about the Chinese in the Monterey Bay region, describing their arrival in the Monterey area between 1830 and 1870.

Grand Lodge Secretary and San Francisco Lodge President Vera Goo and Salinas President Sherman Low presented awards and certificates to the founding members for their 50 years of continuous service: Tommy Gin, Dr. Bill Wong, Hughes Chin, Tom O. Wong, York Gin, Philip Lee, David Chin, Bill Young, Henry Chin, Parker Chin, John Gong and Wallace Ah Tye.

Despite furious competition from the World Series, emcee Dr. Gerald Cheung handled his duties with aplomb. While guests were enjoying their prime rib dinner, it was announced that the San Francisco Giants were ahead 5-0. But by the time guests had finished their dessert, the Anaheim Angels had won 7-5.

NOT TO BE MISSED: Nora Lee and Daisy Chong are the co-chairs for the first traditional major event of the holidays — the Chinatown Opti-Mrs. Club is annual Holiday Ball on Dec. 6 at the Empress of China Restaurant. There will be a banquet dinner, dancing, raffles, silent auction and a festive holiday spirit, all to benefit numerous community service organizations in 2003.