Photo: Sgt. Sing Lau Kee (aka Lau Sing Kee), awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for actions taken near Mont Notre Dame in 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, WWI.

The Chinese American Museum DC (CAMDC) held this online event moderated by military expert, Monty Hom, to discuss the incredible stories and legacy of Chinese Americans serving in the U.S. Military since the Civil War.

By Allan Low and Debbie Gong-Guy, 2023 Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs

For the ninth year, the Chinese Historical & Cultural Project (CHCP) was honored to recognize the recipients of the Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship (LGGMS) awarded during Student Recognition Day held on Sunday, May 7th at History Park San José. Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Allan Low and Debbie Gong-Guy introduced each of the scholarship winners to an enthusiastic audience of family, friends, and fellow students. Each of the recipients expressed much appreciation and thanks to CHCP for their scholarships.

The Lillian Gong-Guy Memorial Scholarship was established in 2014 in tribute to CHCP’s late co-founder, Lillian Gong-Guy, to recognize exemplary seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement balanced with strong community service and involvement. Our eight scholarship award recipients this year truly represent the future leaders of our community.

Our 2023 scholarship winners are (left to right above):

In addition to the Co-Chairs, Allan Low and Debbie Gong-Guy, this year’s Scholarship Committee members were Helina Chin, Brenda Wong, Judy Wong and Karyn Wong.

For more information, please contact us at scholarship@chcp.org.

A special award was given to History San Jose volunteer Tony Ornellas who has always been a special friend to CHCP, helping with maintenance of the 32-year-old museum building and especially helping as the "Godfather to Hoong the Dragon" - helping maintain Hoong so he looks his best at performances and appearances.

Volunteer participants in CHCP's Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) were recognized by SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong for their hard work, serving as docents in the Chinese American Historical Museum as well as volunteering for other CHCP activities. The "10 Years of SDCAP" slideshow was shown to highlight and review SDCAP activities through the years. View the slideshow below.

Thanks to all the donors to the LGGMS and SDCAP programs for their continued generosity and support.

By Christian Jochim (2023 CHCP Vice-President of Education), Gerrye Wong (CHCP Co-Founder/Trustee), and Mike Mak (2023 CHCP Director)

What a proud moment for CHCP! A large number of attendees from the Committee of 100 (C100)'s 2023 Annual Conference, held in downtown San Jose this year, accepted our invitation to attend an event for them at the Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM). Thanks to the efforts of CHCP President Dave Yick and CHCP Director Mike Mak, the event was a total success.  CHCP President Dave Yick, CHCP Director Peter Young, and CHCP VP Chris Jochim drove people to and from the museum, and CHCP Co-Founder/Trustee Gerrye Wong, CHCP Governing Trustee Anita Kwock, and CHCP Director Brenda Hee Wong were there to welcome them. 

C100's Chinese American leaders from all over the USA came and were awed by our great museum. There was great interest by the group (some from Boston, NYC, Seattle, Irvine, the Bay Area, and elsewhere) to learn how and why CHCP was formed, what became our “Project” and how we gifted the museum to the City of San Jose in 1991. C100 Founder Henry Tang came, was impressed with our accomplishments, and said he hoped to have more interaction between the two groups in the future – always a good omen! It was an important networking event to introduce our museum to a new group of Chinese Americans who hopefully will spread the word further.  

Special thanks to the White Crane Dragon & Lion Dance Association of San Francisco for the welcoming lion dance performance that opened our program with a big splash. White Crane is the #1 ranked team outside of Asia and is the only USA team invited to compete against the world in Malaysia.  They are universally considered the best team in the USA.

CHCP visited Iris Chang Park to clean and beautify the park, to honor the Chinese American journalist, author, and political activist Iris Chang, and to celebrate Earth Day. Iris’ parents, Ying Ying and Shau Jin Chang, shared their family background, Iris’ academic love of China and its history, as well as Iris’ recognition of Chinese American contributions and their identity in America. 

The South Bay Historic Chinese American Cemetery Corporation (SBHCACC) had their annual Ching Ming ceremony on April 8th at the Historic Chinese American Cemetery in San Jose.

CHCP was a sponsor for this event and presented paper ingots for ceremonial offerings and participated in the reading of the names of those buried there. CHCP participants attending included: Director Brenda Hee Wong, Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) member Kasey Walker, Trustee Allan Low, and Advisory Board Members Nathan Louie and Michael Chan.

By Ingrid Lai, 2023 CHCP Co-Vice President

On March 12, 2023, the SDCAP (Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program) community planned to celebrate their 10-year Anniversary at History San Jose. However, an unexpected fire at History Park on the morning of the event forced the celebration to be moved to a different venue, thanks to SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong's quick thinking and the kindness of CHCP Director Dr. Arthur Jue and CHCP Advisory Board member Daniel Jue who offered their office space in San Jose.

Despite the last-minute change, the celebration was a success. The program included talent performances by SDCAP members, a "10 Years of Growth" slideshow, highlights of two meaningful video projects, founders, honorees and SDCAP recognition, alumni reflections, lunch, and cake cutting. The event ended with a raffle drawing.

The SDCAP community would like to thank Liz Chew, Teddy Sue, Lillian (posthumously) & Debbie Gong-Guy, and Brenda Hee Wong for their hard work in making SDCAP a success from the beginning and for their ongoing efforts in supporting its growth. The celebration was a testament to the dedication and hard work of all the alumni and current SDCAP members who have contributed to making SDCAP the success that it is today. Despite the unexpected challenge, the SDCAP 10-Year Anniversary Planning Committee, hosted the community to come together to celebrate and look forward to continuing their work together in the future.

Watch SDCAP's "10 Years of Growth" slideshow below:

CHCP Student Docent Ambassador Program (SDCAP) members got together with the South Bay Historic Chinese American Cemetery Corporation (SBHCACC) and the Chinese American Women's Club (CAWC) to make paper ingots for the Ching Ming celebration to be held on April 8th at the Historic Chinese American Cemetery in San Jose.

By Gerrye Wong, CHCP Co-Founder and Trustee

On Saturday, February 18th, we had a wonderfully sunny California day which was perfect for the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) to hold its annual Lunar New Year Celebration at History Park San Jose where its Chinese American Historical Museum proudly stands. Besides being able to visit our museum and see new exhibit features, we had Lion Dancing, Hoong our dragon and a Year of the Rabbit in person leading the parade of children at the end of the event.

In addition, we had remarkable groups performing martial arts, Chinese cultural dances and Chinese yo-yo demonstrations.

There was also Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, K-pop dancing, the Firebird Chinese Youth Orchestra playing traditional Chinese musical instruments, Chinese New Year games and craft activities for the kids, the "Rolling Duck" food truck serving delicious Asian dishes, plus our educational "Pioneering the Valley" Traveling Exhibit was also out on display.

So be sure to come out and not miss the fun and festivities next time CHCP holds its events – lots of excitement and fun cultural experiences.

CBS News Reporter Mary Lee interviewed CHCP Advisory Member/Historian Connie Young Yu and CHCP Director Brenda Hee Wong, to report on efforts being made to raise awareness for San Jose's historic Market Street Chinatown, destroyed by anti-Chinese arson in 1888.

By Gerrye Wong, CHCP Co-Founder and Trustee

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project welcomed the Year of the Rabbit in fine fashion with its annual membership dinner, which was free for all paid members.

Nearly 140 gathered to celebrate together and witness the swearing in of the Board of Directors for 2023 led by Dr. Arthur Low, Advisory Board Liaison and former CHCP president. Newly sworn in were Directors Dr. Arthur Jue, Elizabeth Lee and Mike Mak, and Co-Treasurer Bill Shu.  

California State Assemblyman Evan Low performed the swearing in of Advisory Board members. New Advisory Board members included: Michael Chan, Daniel Jue, Kelly Kwong, Sharon Lai, and Lielani Rich. It’s always being said that whatever is worthwhile “takes a village” and true to form, CHCP is led by a dedicated group of over 50 Board and Advisory Board members overseeing the membership of 300.

Keeping all of the audience members happy was the awarding of over 20 door prizes of orchid plants and Trader Joe gift cards. Attendees had a chance to view highlights of the 35th Anniversary Gala, which occurred last September 2022, thanks to Advisory Board member Steve Gilbert.

Before dinner, attendees were delighted to find a bright red voile bag which contained the commemorative Anna May Wong quarter, issued in 2022 as one of the American women coin series. Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American actress to appear in Hollywood movies beginning in the 1920s. 

Assemblyman Evan Low presented a framed California proclamation to President Dave Yick and CHCP for its fine community work in preserving and presenting Chinese American history for the past three decades through its activities and Chinese American Historical Museum. NBC reporter Robert Handa applauded CHCP for its continuing service to the community.

Lions Michael and Macy Mak Chan gifted everyone present that evening with a crystal display miniature teapot set with 4 cups to wish everyone a Happy New Year and invite them all to join their Silicon Valley Cyber Lions Club.  

Student Docent Cultural Ambassadors led the audience in singing Chinese New Year to close this eventful program.

Pictured in the photos below from left to right are: Director/SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong, Advisory Board member Pinki Fung, "Money God," and Co-Founder/Trustee Gerrye Wong; Trustee Debbie Gong-Guy, Trustee Anita Kwock, and Co-Vice President of Marketing Edith Gong; new Board member Dr. Arthur Jue and Co-Treasurer Jonathan Wong; Barbara Johnson and Bill Schroh, jr. from History San Jose.