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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The 2010 Youth Leadership Conference marked the 20th anniversary of creating leaders in our community. With this year’s theme of “Can Y’all Hear Me Now?”, the Youth Leadership Conference was ushered in by over 240 students, mentors and volunteers. This marked the third YLC (2006, 2008 and 2010) that students from Local Lodges sponsored by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance under Asian Students in Action (ASIA) participated in earnest.

Students from the Greater Houston area and from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Salinas, Portland and San Antonio Lodges came together at Rice University for the three day conference from June 25 – 27. The theme, "Can Y' Hear Me Now?", focused on one of the basic building all blocks of leadership - communication. Students learned to use effective communication techniques in a variety of contexts.

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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. 

In a truly historic moment on Christmas Eve, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Los Angeles attorney Dolly Gee, as she is about to become the first Chinese-American woman to serve as a U.S. District Court judge. The Chinese American Citizens Alliance congratulates Dolly Gee on this long awaited and richly deserving accomplishment.

Chinese American Citizens Alliance, at 114-years the oldest Asian American national civil rights and community empowerment organization, has unanimously elected Carolyn Chan [陳湯美屏] of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as national Grand President for the term 2009-2011. In her acceptance remarks at the 50th Biennial National Convention, Chan vowed to “exercise vigilance and guard against discrimination.” Also chosen to the new Board of 24 members were Executive Vice President Virginia C. Gee [朱雲清, San Francisco], Planning Vice President Winston Wu [伍健, Los Angeles], Communications VP Edmond Gor [敖錦賜, Houston], and Membership VP John Y. Wong [黃錦渭, San Gabriel Valley].