Dear Friends and Community Partners:
Gung Hay Fat Choy and Sun Nean Fay Lok! Welcome 2018 and Year of the Dog! It has been an exciting 30th Anniversary year for the Chinese American Council of Sacramento (CACS) and we thank all the community partners, sponsors and supporters for your generous contributions to expand our programs; see featured story in this newsletter.
On January 20th, I participated in the Women’s March in Sacramento with over 30,000 people in attendance and started the march with City Mayor Darrell Steinberg, City Manager, Howard Chan, and Police Captain, Norm Leong, at the Southside Park. The march proceeded to the State Capitol and I stayed to experience the uplifting speeches and performers who represented diverse community groups. Not only was the march recognizing women issues; many men and children came to support the social issues magnified by the National leadership such as the immigration policies affecting “Dreamers”.
On January 30th, CACS participated at the Capitol Legislative Reception hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs Association at the Sutter Club which was attended by over 200 elected officials and guests. Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon received the Civic Engagement award, Senator Jim Nielson received the Lifetime Achievement award, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon received the Civic Engagement award.
Members will be attending the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad Inaugural Banquet at the California Railroad Museum on February 13th and the APAPA Shining Stars Gala on April 7th to support their Internship program at the State Capitol. I hope you will enjoy many of the special events for the Lunar New Year and eat the tasty foods symbolic of harmonious life. Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year!
Honey Lum, President
Chinese American Council of Sacramento
Dear CACS Members and Friends,
On behalf of our Foundation, President Cathy Wei and I wish you a Happy New Year. This year we celebrate the “Year of the Dog.” Those born under the sign of the Dog are seen as quick-witted, loyal, trustworthy, and supportive; they value friendship and have a great sense of duty to home and their communities.
As a third-generation Chinese-American growing up in a Cantonese home, I recall Chinese New Year as a fun time celebrated with our families, many cousins, and our local benevolent association. There was always lots of tasty New Year treats. (My favorites were Grandma’s candied winter melon and sugared coconut slices!)
As kids, do you remember seeing, hearing and smelling strings of firecrackers, strung from a pole, being lit? Enjoying trays of tangerines, oranges, cookies, dim sum and regional dishes? Greeting everyone with: “Gung Hay Fat Choy”? Greetings were appreciated by the elders and each child was rewarded with “lai see” packets that you accepted and did not open until you got home.
In 2018, let’s all work towards positive change in this climate of uncertainty in our country. We start within our own API community; work to continue and share our common traditions and cultures that make us uniquely Asian-Americans. Thank you for your continued support!
Brenda Fong, Vice-President
CACS Foundation
A few CACS board members and family and friends celebrated the 60th birthday of Douglas Hsia (third from left) at Peter’s Steak House in Isleton. To our surprise, he entertained us with his singing of Sweet 16 and other melodies of the 60s – what talent! Congratulations Doug!
By Joyce Eng
Lifetime CACS Member Stephen Tse retires after 35 years in U.S. His last employment was with Ameriprise Financial. Several CACS members attended his celebration on November 29, 2017 at the Valley Hi Country Club. The photo at right is when CACS founder Roger Fong roasted Stephen Tse with the attire he is wearing in the photo as well as a quad cane with horn for his senior years. A fine time was enjoyed by all his family, friends and Ameriprise Financial colleagues. Congratulations, Stephen!
By Anne Luong, Chair of OSC
On December 9, 2017, CACS Foundation sponsored 100 applicants and their siblings for the extravagant annual Operation Santa Claus. This year, the event was held at Hiram Johnson High School. The families were occupied with interactive activities that embody the Christmas spirit. The various activities included face painting, creating ornaments, writing Christmas cards, making reindeer hats, and taking family portraits.
Thank you to all the volunteer shoppers who dedicated their time to finding the perfect gifts on the children’s wish lists. Also, thank you to all the sponsors who have contributed to this project. The generosity and support from everyone are greatly appreciated. You have brightened the time for the children and their families during the holiday season.
Wishing you all a wonderful and prosperous New Year!
CACS Council & Foundation Board Members and Founding Members
Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center (SCCSC) staff receiving the Community Service Award with Anne Luong and Henry Kloczkowski, Executive Director of SCCSC.
Hall of Fame Honoree Clarence Chu, third from left, with Presidents Cathy Wei and Honey Lum and Representative of Elected Officials Aubrie Fong, Chris Mateo and Susan McKee
CACS Council VP Alex Eng (1987 - 2017) with CACS Founding Member Jerry L Chong, Doreen Chan, Lonnie Wong and Roger Fong
GMC Gold Sponsor - Fat Family
CACS Board Director Charlie Moy with Winery sponsors Michael David Fine Wines (Kathy Barnett) and Wilson Winery (Mark Wilson)
CACS Council and Foundation Board Members
By Karun Yee
The Chinese American Council of Sacramento (CACS) reached a milestone last year – our 30th Anniversary celebration was held on Oct 14, 2017 at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation (SASF) with an estimated crowd of 350 enthusiastic party goers. The beautiful red Chinese paper lanterns symbolized the theme “CACS Lights The Way.” How has this legendary Chinese-American organization been able to survive? It’s been the hard work and dedication of the board and our members that has focused the group into a pivotal force in the community. The work of the organization includes sponsoring scholarships, publishing a book, community service projects (Operation Santa Claus), participation in many educational and cultural events such as author series, Crocker Buckaroo day, Gold Rush Days, and fun field trips supporting many Asian Pacific Islander American groups. CACS has been a voice for the Sacramento Chinese community. As a highly respected organization, we have endured changing times since its inception in 1987.
Our momentous event was opened with an energetic children’s Lion Dance (Chung Mei Post 8358) and the children’s dance group from the Mandarin Immersion program at William Land Elementary School. Various community leaders presented awards and proclamations to CACS (State Senator Dr. Richard Pan, Mayor Darrel Steinberg, Rep. Doris Matsui, State Controller Betty Yee, State Senator Patricia Bates, Assembly Member Kevin McCarty, County Supervisor Don Nottoli, Assembly Members Jim Cooper and Rob Bonta, and former County Supervisor Roger Dickinson). A nice prime rib dinner was cooked and served by the SASF volunteers. We then honored the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center with the Community Service award, Clarence Chu with the Hall of Fame award, and the original founding board members (Doreen Chan, Lonnie Wong, Jerry Chong, Ray Chan, Kim Lum, Dolly Louie, Roger Fong, late Frank Fat, Roy Wong and Barron Lowe). Lonnie Wong and Pamela Wu as master of ceremonies kept the program running smoothly.
Of course, networking throughout the evening connected friends, family and other API organizations. To make the evening even more fun, we had an outstanding raffle prize drawing thanks to our numerous sponsors and a photo booth available. The event was chaired by Cathy Wei, Brenda Fong and KarunYee with enormous assistance from the entire board. The reluctant crowd dispersed ending the evening on a happy note. Not many organizations have endured 30 years. Who could ask for anything more! A great big thank you to everyone who celebrated CACS 30th Anniversary!
By Eileen Leung and Joyce Eng
CACS supported the Locke Foundation’s fundraising dinner on Saturday, October 29, 2017 at the Hong Kong Islander Restaurant in Sacramento. This dinner was specifically to raise funds for the Locke Chinese Historical Marker.
A nine-course dinner was enjoyed by all! Included in the festivities were numerous silent auction items and raffle prizes. Former and current Locke residents, friends and supporters gave generously to pay for a bronze marker with Chinese text to be installed at Main Street Park in Spring 2018. The marker will match the one already installed with English text.
Seated at our table were CACS board members and volunteers Kim and Pete Rabbon, Sylvia Sun Minnick and Wellman Chan. Board members included Brenda Fong, Franc Martinez, Jim Chong, Dr. David Young, and Cathy Wei and spouse Steve Peterson. Other board members in attendance were Honey Lum, Douglas Hsia and Karun Yee. Thank you for supporting Locke Foundation!
After a year of hard work to benefit the API community from both our Foundation and Council, 30 of us, including family members and significant others, gathered at Aviator’s Restaurant for a holiday buffet and enjoyed an evening of good food and a fun gift exchange. A big thank you to Joyce Eng for organizing this fun party! Also thank you to Aviator owners Chik and Maria (third from left) for preparing the delicious food and staffing the party.
Assemblymember Ed Chau has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 2864, which would ensure that students in California receive instruction in their History and Social Science Curriculum regarding the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the contributions made by Chinese-Americans in establishing the Transcontinental Railroad.
Chinese-Americans have played a significant role in the history of California and the United States. They have contributed to America and California as builders of the Transcontinental Railroad and other important infrastructure; as farmers, as inventors, as entrepreneurs, as scholars, as artists, as soldiers and as civic leaders. However, the history of Chinese- Americans is also filled with hardship, discrimination, and unequal treatment.
For instance, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first major law to single out and forbid a specific ethnic group, the Chinese, from immigrating to, and becoming naturalized citizens of, the United States.
Specifically, AB 2864 would encourage all state and local professional development activities to provide teachers with content background and resources to assist them in teaching about the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Chinese-American contributions to the establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad when the History-Social Science Curriculum framework and its accompanying instructional materials are adopted.
The Instructional Quality Commission (IQC), which was established in 1927, advises the State Board of Education on matters related to curriculum and instruction. It sets standards that form the basis of California’s curriculum frameworks and documents, which guide the implementation of these standards. The frameworks establish criteria used to evaluate instructional materials. These criteria are used to select, through the state adoption process, instructional materials for kindergarten through grade eight. Frameworks also guide district selection of instructional materials for grades nine through twelve.
AB 2864 will ensure that the IQC considers including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the contributions made by Chinese-Americans in establishing the Transcontinental Railroad when adopting History and Social Science Curriculum, so that their history and contributions are taught to students throughout California.