IRVIN R. LAI, our Past Grand President and revered community icon, succumbed to complications of pneumonia on July 16 following a long, courageous battle. Ever the intrepid fighter and never the quitter, Bro. Irvin remained active and involved in community activities virtually to the last moments. Widely acknowledged in the general public for his relentless efforts on the “Roast Duck” Bill to preserve the uniquely cultural processing methods of roast ducks by Chinatown food establishments in the early 1980’s, Irvin was most recently known for the same tireless engagement with municipal and private sectors to ensure the proper handling of exposed burial remains of many Chinese railroad workers during the Metro Gold Line extension.

NOTE:  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tribute contributions in his memory be made to Alhambra True Light Presbyterian Church (www.atlpc.org), Chinese American Citizens Alliance (www.cacala.org), or Chinese Historical Society, Los Angeles (www.chssc.org). 

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Irvin was the beloved husband of Jessie (pre-deceased) and father to daughters Corinne Gill, Irene and husband Benkin Jong, Arlene and husband Dennis Lowe, Kathleen and husband Matthew Lih, Pauline and husband Kenny Yau, and son Lawrence and wife Queena Lai; brother to Collin and wife Susan Hum Lai and Mildred and husband Danyo Wong; brother-in-law to Mabel Lee. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Irvin was a native Californian, born near the historic Chinese settlement of Locke near Sacramento. As a third generation Chinese American who would eventually call Los Angeles home, he went on to serve his country in the U.S. military during World War II and the Korean War. Returning from the service, he attended college and worked in the family’s refrigeration, restaurant and construction businesses.

He was a good friend to all and widely known in the Chinese American Citizens Alliance where he rose to become Grand President, and yet also readily accepted leadership positions in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles, Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the Chinese Times. Ever the visionary, it was during his term that the position of Executive Director of C.A.C.A. was created, and filled by respected community leader Yvonne Lee, who would continue on to national prominence. With steadfast resolve and commitment to the mission, Irvin and the Alliance became synonymous for civil rights and justice for Chinese Americans. He also spoke for meaningful traditions and principles that had perpetuated and safeguarded the Alliance for over a century. When the L.A. Lodge building was proposed to be sold, Irvin contended that tradition as symbolized by the building must be preserved, and he showed a better way to sustain and advance the Lodge’s programs by forming Community Action.

His national legacy is long and impacting, unique perhaps for a Chinese American of his era, much of it under discrimination. In the famous “duck bill” fight, he would achieve recognition for Chinese cuisine and safeguard it from unjust health law attacks. This bill affected the whole nation, and continues to be the leading law justifying Asian preparation methods today. He would organize and became a Commissioner of the Asian American Education Commission to have schools recognize, understand and meet the needs of Asian American families.

Working fervently in partnership with Stewart Kwoh, they ignited the Vincent Chin movement by hosting the seminal meeting in Los Angeles and facilitating the movement in San Francisco. (Vincent Chin was the young Chinese American killed by two white Detroit men who had mistaken him for being Japanese during the scapegoating period in the 1980’s when lower quality American cars were losing significant market share to Japanese vehicles.) The tour with Mrs. Chin galvanized the national Asian American community as never before, and the historical impact persists today as the national Asian Pacific Islander American voice continues to grow. Past 80, he would rise up one more time due to the huge disrespect shown by MTA in unearthing remains of an historical cemetery, which included Chinese. As a result of the leadership of his effort, a $1 million monument now stands to remember the long lost buried Chinese next to Evergreen Cemetery.

For the actions he was able to accomplish, many of which are detailed further in an accompanying biographical summary of his lifetime of service, Bro. Irvin R. Lai was the recipient of the Spirit of America Award in 2009 at the 50th Grand Council. Perhaps the award he cherished most, however, was the unique recognition pin of 50 years of membership in the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, presented him by current Los Angeles Lodge President Daisy Ma in March. Bro. Irvin not only lived long, but he served long so that others might also experience the freedom and opportunity in America.

The Chinese American Citizens Alliance prayerfully joins all members of the Alliance and members of the numerous Southern California communities and organizations in deepest sympathy to the Lai family, including Grand Exec. Susan Hum Lai and Regional Grand Exec. Collin Lai.