The Chinese American Citizens Alliance, founded in 1895 and headquartered in San Francisco, chartered its newest chapter in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, March 14 at the Chinese Community Center.  The daylong festive ceremonies opened in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown with the traditional Lion Dance by a local performing group complete with firecrackers.  The Grand Lodge contingent of Grand President Carolyn H. Chan, Executive Vice-President Virginia C. Gee, Membership VP John Wong, Communications VP Ed Gor, Grand Treasurer Herb Gee, Auditor Randy Young, Grand Executives David Lee and William Mei, Washington DC Lodge President Thomas Lee and DC member Rocky Lee joined the Charter Chicago Lodge Officers and members and hundreds of local dignitaries and community leaders in the commemoration unveiling of the Chicago Lodge signage to mark its headquarters at the On Leong Building. 

Chicago Lodge Charter ceremonies and installation of the 51 newest members and 3 associate members moved to the Chinese Community Center where a standing room only crowd close to 300 included U.S. Congressman Danny Davis (IL) and dignitaries representing every major Chinese community and family organization in the greater Chicago area.  Grand President Chan opened with historical reminders of the Alliance's objectives and missions and remarked, "The Alliance continues to heighten its visibility at the national level by speaking out on relevant issues such as health care reform, immigration reform, racial bullying in schools, hate crimes, racial stereotyping, and participation in Census 2010 to ensure an accurate census count.  We encourage participation in the political process as appointees or elected officials at local, state, or Federal levels."

As a lead-in to the member installation and swearing in of Chicago's Charter Board of Officers, GP Chan exhorted, "We need your support and participation to be even more effective. You, as leading citizens in the great City of Chicago, are very active and provide valuable services to your community.  As spring beckons for a fresh start and we charter a new Chicago Lodge, we urge you to grow your membership to help meet the challenges of today and the future." 

Assisting GP Chan in the ceremonies were Membership VP Wong, VP Gor and GE William Mei as President Herman Wong, Vice-President Ivy P. Lam, Secretary John Moy and Treasurer Raymond Lee took their oaths of office.  Other Board of Officers installed were:  Assistant Secretary George J. Eng, Financial Secretary Wayne J. Moy, Auditors Philip K. Chow and Betty Wong, Marshal Mike Chu, Sentinel Peter Chan, Collector Grace Lee and Grand Representative Kin S. Ng.

Chan presented Chicago President Herman Wong with its first Alliance gavel.  President Wong accepted congratulations, greetings and well wishes and red envelope "lay-see" from local groups, individuals and Alliance chapter lodges across the country.  In his remarks, Wong expressed gratitude to those who helped with the reformation of this Lodge and acknowledged the deep historical roots of activism and involvement of the original Chicago lodge in the early 1900's.  He acknowledged and accepted the challenges of the landscape of civil rights, Voter education, political involvement and empowerment of Asian Americans and access to social services and affordable health care in Chicago's Asian communities. 

The day-long festivities fittingly concluded with the Chicago Lodge hosting dinner at the China Buffet to honor the new Chicago board, thank Grand Lodge attendees and thank the volunteers who helped to organize the installation ceremonies.

President: Herman Wong
Vice President: Ivy P. Lam
Secretary: John Moy
Assist Secretary: George J. Eng
Treasurer: Raymond Lee
Financial Secretary: Wayne J. Moy
Auditor: Philip K. Chow
Auditor: Betty Wong
Marshal: Mike Chu
Sentinel: Peter Chan
Collector: Grace Lee
Grand Rep: Kin S. Ng (Kenney)

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