Grand President Carolyn H. Chan and Washington, D.C. Lodge President Ted Gong urge your consideration to take action and sign the petition created on the White House website requesting a Presidential statement or proclamation to recognize the harm of the Chinese Exclusion Laws and their impact and significance to Chinese Americans today. Please take action by April 20 to meet the goal of 100,000 signatures.

Since its beginning thousands of high school students across the nation have participated in the Alliance’s National Essay Contest. The essay contest is intended to foster creative thinking and self-expression and encourage an awareness of current local and world events. Top placing finishers receive cash scholarship towards their education endeavors.

This annual contest is open to any student enrolled in senior high school (grades 9-12). No entry fee required. Participants are to compose an essay in English not to exceed 500 words on a contemporary topic concerning the Chinese and Asian American communities. The essay topic is given at the time of the contest.

This year’s contest will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013, commencing at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at 12:00 p.m. (local time). Please contact your nearest host representative for additional information and/or to register. Please check back on this website if your nearest location and contact information has not been announced. Deadline date to register is February 26, 2013.

Application Form available online

Essay Contest Locations (confirmed as of February 5, 2013):

Chinese American Citizens Alliance’s National Art Competition in Partnership with the Chinese American Museum

We are pleased to announce a juried, nationwide Art Competition for students during the 2012-2013 school year. The purpose of this Art Competition is to explore your family history by doing research or interviewing your family members. For over 100 years, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance sought to better the welfare of the community and to achieve equality and justice for Chinese Americans and to encourage American patriotism. The Chinese American Museum, located in Los Angeles, across Union Station, seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of America’s diverse heritage by researching, preserving, and sharing the history, rich cultural legacy, and continuing contributions of Chinese Americans.

>>Download Application and Rules

Over 500 people gathered in an elegantly adorned venue, The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles on September 27, 2012 for the 16^th Annual Historymakers Awards Banquet of the Chinese American Museum (CAM).

(Caption: front row, l. to r., Melanie Chan, president of San Francisco Lodge; Carolyn H. Chan, Grand President; Esther Louie Henry; Hon. Judy Chu; Dr. Munson Kwok, CAM Historymakers banquet chair.  Back Row, l. to r., Al H. Soo-Hoo,  president, CAM Board of Directors; Edward Yu, president of Oakland Lodge; Dr. James Bok Wong, president of Los Angeles Lodge)

The Chinese American Museum’s Annual Historymakers Awards Banquet represents the vision of pioneers, dedication of volunteers, and continuous community collaboration over the years since its inception in 1997. Prominently recognized as one of the premiere Chinese American events in Southern California, the banquet honors the achievements of extraordinary individuals and groups who have made significant impact or lasting contributions towards the advancement of the Chinese American community and beyond.

Chinese American Citizens Alliance once again renewed itself biennially, as it has done in recent years in off-Convention years. Held in Los Angeles, hosted by Los Angeles Lodge, over 50 Members from the Grand Board and Local Lodges convened for 2 days in “Road Map to the Future” for a rigorous exercise to envision the future and lay the direction for strategic planning. Among Lodge presidents present were Melanie Chan, San Francisco; James Bok Wong, Los Angeles; Edward Yu, Oakland, John Gee, GSGV, Elaine Wong, Phoenix; Ted Gong, DC; Ming-Ming Edelman, Seattle; and Rusty Chan, Albuquerque. Venerable elder Bro. Henry Gee, Grand Representative of Peninsula was also present. In all, eleven of eighteen Lodges had representation.

Grand President Carolyn Chan declared in opening the conference, “Our goal, as an organization over 100 years old, is to remain relevant in the 21st century.”

>>Download the PDF file of this story

SAN FRANCISCO, CA–The Chinese American Citizens Alliance remains deeply troubled and disturbed at the denial of justice for Marine Lance Corporal Harry Lew and Army Pvt. Danny Chen, who were both pushed to commit suicide as a result of severe and humiliating hazing at the hands of fellow military personnel.  The recent military trials of those involved have yielded “Not Guilty” verdicts signifying that hazing in the military is not only accepted and condoned, but also deeply imbedded in the military culture.