HISTORY
Though the Daily Alta California predicted success for Chinese immigrants on May 12, 1852, progress was slow due to economic challenges and traditional values. By the late 19th century, the Chinese, initially welcomed as cheap labor for railroad construction, became scapegoats during economic downturns. Prejudice culminated in a California Supreme Court ruling in People v. Hall (1854) that labeled Chinese as inferior and unfit for equal citizenship.
In response, a group of Chinese Americans in San Francisco formed the Native Sons of the Golden State in 1895, later reorganized as the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in 1915. The organization aimed to combat prejudice, promote assimilation, and lead the Chinese American community. By 1920, the building housing the National Headquarters at 1044 Stockton Street in San Francisco was completed. The grand opening celebration on August 10th of that year brought into full realization the plans conceived in Los Angeles in 1914, perfected in San Francisco in 1915, and carried out in Oakland in 1917.By 1920, the Alliance expanded nationally, adding lodges across the U.S., and in 1977, admitted women for the first time. Nancy Ann Gee became the first female National Grand President in 1997.
The Chinese Times, launched in 1924 as the Alliance’s official newspaper, became the most widely read Chinese-language paper in the U.S. However, as assimilation increased, readership declined, and the paper ceased operation in 1988.
The Alliance has played a pivotal role in changing unjust laws. Leading the fight against the Immigration Act of 1924, which cruelly separated American citizens from their wives, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance launched a successful campaign in 1936 to ease this hardship. Key members like Walter U. Lum, Kenneth Y. Fung, and Peter Wong from the San Francisco Lodge; George Pong from the Detroit Lodge; Peter Soo-Hoo and Y. C. Hong from the Los Angeles Lodge; and W. L. Sun from the Portland Lodge, along with many others, frequently testified before congressional immigration committees to advocate for their cause. Their efforts paid off on August 9, 1946, with the passage of a law granting non-quota status to Chinese wives of American citizens, bringing long-awaited relief to these families.
A provision in the Judd Bill (H.R. 199) sought to remove non-quota status for Chinese wives, but thanks to the Alliance's efforts, this clause was removed before the House passed it on March 1, 1949. The Kilgore-Langer Bill (S.B. 1860), introduced on May 13, 1949, marked another step by the Alliance to protect the rights of American citizens. During the 81st Congress, Alliance leaders Albert Chow and William Jack Chow, alongside Grand President Henry Lem and Y. C. Hong, advocated for immigration reform before the Senate Subcommittee on the Judiciary. On October 15, 1952, Alliance representatives spoke to President Truman's Commission on Immigration and Naturalization, challenging the unfair provisions of the Walter-McCarran Act and its harsh enforcement by U.S. Consular officials in Hong Kong.
The Alliance has continued to fight against discrimination targeting Chinese Americans, from opposing school segregation to ensuring fair treatment for Chinese-owned businesses. Thanks to the dedication of Alliance members, many community projects have come to life, especially in San Francisco's Chinatown. Key initiatives include the Mei Lun Yuen Housing project, Chinese Recreation Center, Ping Yuen Housing, the Chinatown Gateway at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, Chinese Hospital, North East Medical Services, and the Chinatown branch of the Employment Service. As one of the founding organizations for San Francisco Chinese Hospital, we continue to have representation on their Board of Directors.
The Alliance also collaborated with parents to address forced busing of Chinese American children, successfully pushing the school district to engage with the Chinatown community and address their concerns.
C.A.C.A. TIMELINE
LODGE CHARTER DATES
Albuquerque April 24, 1961
Boston April 3, 1927*
Chicago March 28, 1917*
Greater New York December 3, 2016
Greater San Gabriel Valley August 6, 2000
Houston November 7, 1954
Las Vegas July 7, 2002
Los Angeles May 15, 1912
Mississippi September 9, 2000
Oakland June 21, 1912
Orange County April 27, 2002
Peninsula March 26, 1971
Phoenix June 5 1974
Portland February 24, 1921
Sacramento August 15, 1977*
Salinas October 6, 1952
San Antonio May 29, 1955
San Francisco May 15, 1912
Seattle March 24, 2011
Washington, DC July 9, 1972
*RECHARTER DATES
Boston December 16, 2014
Chicago March 20, 2010
Sacramento June 8, 2019
PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS
Grand President Year
Ng Gunn 1895, 1904
Leong Kow 1907
Ng Gunn 1908
Walter U. Lum 1909
Walter U. Lum 1912
Wong Boc You 1913
Walter U. Lum 1914
Walter U. Lum 1915
Walter U. Lum 1916
Walter U. Lum 1917
Leong Kow 1919 - 1921
Leong Kow 1919 - 1921
Leong Kow 1921 - 1923
Walter U. Lum 1924 - 1926
Walter U. Lum 1927
Walter U. Lum 1928
S. K. Lai 1929 - 1931
Harry T. Yip 1931 - 1935
Walter U. Lum 1933 - 1935
S. K. Lai 1935 - 1937
S. K. Lai 1937 - 1939
S. K. Lai 1939 - 1947
S. K. Lai 1939 - 1947
Kenneth Y. Fung 1947 - 1949
You Chung Hong 1949 - 1951
Grand President Year
You Chung Hong 1949 - 1953
Henry Lem 1953 - 1955
Henry Lem 1955 - 1957
Henry Lem 1957 - 1959
Ralph Lai 1959 - 1961
George Chew 1961- 1963
Wilbur K. Woo 1963 - 1965
Wilbur K. Woo 1965 - 1967
Franics H. Louie 1967 - 1969
Franics H. Louie 1970 - 1971
Albert C. B. Gee 1971 - 1973
Albert C. B. Gee 1973 - 1975
Nowland C. Hong 1975 - 1977
Lenard D. Louie 1977 - 1979
Lenard D. Louie 1979 1981
Harold Y. G. Fong 1981 - 1983
Harold Y. G. Fong 1983 -1985
Irvin R. Lai 1985 - 1987
Irvin R. Lai 1987 - 1989
Harry W. Low 1989 - 1991
Harry W. Low 1991 - 1993
Harvey Wong 1993 - 1995
Harvey Wong 1995 - 1997
Nancy Ann Gee 1995 - 1997
Nancy Ann Gee 1997 - 1999
Grand President Year
Saykin Foo 2001 - 2003
Saykin Foo 2003 - 2005
Munson A. Kwok 2005 - 2007
Munson A. Kwok 2007 - 2009
Carolyn Hong Chan 2009 - 2011
Carolyn Hong Chan 2011 - 2013
Edmond Gor 2013 -2015
Edmond Gor 2015 - 2107
Davace Chin 2017 - 2019
Melanie Chan 2019 - 2021
Melanie Chan 2021 - 2023
Rusty Chan 2023 - current