49th CACA National Convention Attended by Phoenix Lodge in San Francisco

The Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA) returned to its home roots in San Francisco for its 49th Biennial National Convention on August 1 thru 4, 2007.  It was 112 years ago in San Francisco that CACA first began the fight for civil rights and provided services and leadership for the Chinese communities in America.  The Phoenix delegates had the opportunity to meet some of San Francisco and California’s political leaders and gain fresh perspectives from practical, engaging sessions, workshops and seminars.

Phoenix delegates to the convention were President John H. Tang and Grand Representative Rudy Yee. Past National Grand Marshal Edward Yue, Phoenix Lodge Vice President Benny Yee, Marshal Francis Woon, and member Tellyen Tang also attended the event.

The convention was held in the auditorium of the CACA Grand Lodge headquarters on 1044 Stockton Street. Opening ceremonies reception and dinner was held at the City Club of San Francisco. Keynote speaker was State of California Controller John Chiang and renowned San Francisco historian and filmmaker Felicia Lowe. Felicia presented her Emmy Award winning cultural documentary film “Carved in Silence”.  This documentary presented the experiences and injustices of Chinese immigrants detained and processed through the Angel Island Immigration station near San Francisco.  The Chinese writings on the walls of the buildings illustrated the hardships and frustrations the immigrants endured as they tried to enter the United States.
           
Convention participants had the opportunity to visit the historical Angel Island Immigration Station located near San Francisco. CACA played a major role in designating Angel Island Immigration Station as a state park. Funding became available for the historical preservation and renovation of the site, thus preserving its history for future generations.

 The delegates had an opportunity to visit the Chinese Historical Society Museum in San Francisco and see the early history of CACA. The exhibit traces the establishment of Chinese American Citizens Alliance as the first Chinese civil rights organization to fight against racial discrimination in America. After the museum visit, Chinese author Judy Yung presented to the delegates a pictorial history using photographs from her book “San Francisco Chinatown” at the Lodge Headquarters.

Business sessions included the discussion and voting on important resolutions submitted by the delegates. The major resolutions adapted by the delegates included: Establishing a five year strategy plan and its funding to improve services and impact of CACA; Increase representation in the Grand Council the number of delegates to the convention by each participating lodge; To support the construction of a city college campus in Chinatown; and the establishment of Youth Endowment Fund within the CACA Community Involvement Fund (CIF) for Youth Programs.

CACA elections were a very important part of the convention. It was a unanimous vote that Dr. Munson Kwok of Los Angeles serve another two year term as National Grand President and Carolyn Chan of Albuquerque as Grand First Vice President.  Edward Yue of Phoenix was elected Grand Second Vice President of Communications, Virginia Gee of San Francisco Grand Second Vice President of Planning, and Vera Goo of San Francisco Grand Second Vice President of Membership.

The Grand Lodge presented a special membership award to the Phoenix Lodge in recognition of its successful membership drive. The Phoenix Lodge experienced the largest percentage growth since the last 2005 convention. The Veteran History Project of the Library of Congress is a major goal of CACA in recognition of Chinese Americans veterans. Phoenix Lodge members Rudy Yee and Edward Yue received special CACA commemorative pins in recognition of their military service.

The highlight of the convention was the Grand Ball at San Francisco’s Empress of China in Chinatown. It was here that three outstanding individuals were presented with CACA’s most prestigious award-“The Spirit of America”.  The award winners were David Ching Heng Hsi, Ph.D. of Albuquerque, New Mexico., Him Mark Lai, of San Francisco, California, and Gordon J. Quan of Houston, Texas. The honorees were selected for their leadership and accomplishments as role models in their communities with national and international impact.

The 49th Biennial CACA Convention proved to be very productive for the Phoenix Delegation.  They shared valuable information about civil rights, immigration, veterans’ rights and benefits, health care, education and historical preservation.  The Phoenix Delegation was very appreciative of the Grand Lodge and host San Francisco Lodge for the hospitality and successful 49th Biennial National Convention.