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FRIDAY, October 31 2014 Vol. 04 No. 179
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Fax: (602)269-0715
Arizona Chinese American
Community Leaders Attend Kimberly Yee Fundraiser
Event Celebrates American Dream
Phoenix, AZ -- Asian American community leaders
attended a fundraiser dinner in support of Senator
Kimberly Yee's re-election campaign for the Arizona
Senate on October 21, 2014. The event was held
at the Great Wall Restaurant and featured a patriotic-themed program.
The evening event opened with a presentation of the
colors by the American Legion Thomas Tang Post
50, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Jack
J.F. Yee, father of Senator Kimberly Yee, and the
singing of the National Anthem by Beverly Wu. Guests then participated in the singing of patriotic
songs led by Jack J.F. Yee who served as the master
of ceremonies. He shared his thoughts of how proud
he was to have been born in America. He emphasized that the United States is an exceptional country which offers the best opportunities for success,
that with a strong work ethic and excellence in education, any person can realize the American Dream.
The opening speaker was Arizona State Republican
Party Chairman Robert S. Graham who acknowledged Senator Yee as a "rising star" of the Republican Party. He said that when they were in Washington, D.C. earlier in the year, Yee was recognized
nationally for her work, and GOP party officials an-
nounced that she is someone who will continue to play a major
role in shaping the party’s future.
Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs, who holds a bachelor's
degree in Asian Studies and a law degree from the University of
Arizona, was the keynote speaker and spoke of Senator Yee's
experience in many policy areas and emphasized her passion
for education policy issues. He addressed the importance of
making an impact in our own communities.
Senator Yee closed the evening's formal program by thanking
the guests and sharing her family's history in America, the land
fondly referred to as "Gold Mountain." She shared about one of the most important lessons she was
taught by her parents. She said, "I was taught to appreciate
your family’s history, your heritage and your culture so that you
can be confident in who you are in order to boldly pursue every
opportunity that comes your way. We can be stronger when we
stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us."
"I hope to return to the State Senate and continue to work for
the people of my district and represent not only the community where I live, but also the Asian American community. I am
committed to keeping our families safe, creating more jobs and
strengthening education to provide opportunities for every family," Yee said. Doug Ducey Ariz. Governor Candidate Holds
Asian American Leadership Roundtable
By Barry Wong
(Phoenix, Ariz.) “Opportunity for
All” is a prominent tagline used
by the Doug Ducey for Governor
campaign. The candidate had a
chance to demonstrate his commitment to that phrase recently
at the “Asian American Leader-
ship Roundtable with Doug Ducey” gathering at the University
Club of Phoenix.
Ducey talked about his position on issues such as education reform, the economy and
economic development, tax re-
"Asian American Leadership Roundtable with Doug Ducey Governor Candidate.
(l-r) Mahabub Rahim, M.D., Jae Chin, Garry Ong, Charles Chiu, GOP Chair
Robert Graham, Barry Wong and Doug Ducey. Photo courtesy of Jeff Jenq"
duction and low business
regulations. He emphasized that he would be a
governor of all the people
of Arizona regardless of
a person’s background,
race, ethnicity or place of
origin. The Roundtable
had the usual exchange
of questions and answers
from audience members
to the candidate.
However, the uniqueness
of this Roundtable was the
time dedicated for each
Asian ethnic community group, one-by-one, to
educate and introduce
Ducey to their respective
communities. The Bangladesh community was
led by Mahabub Rahim,
M.D., Chinese by Garry
Ong, Filipino by Leo Aromin, Indian by Venkat
Kommineni, Korean by
Jae Chin, Pakistani by
Sardar Babar, Vietnamese
by Kevin Dang and other
Asians by Albert Lin. Du-
cey was focused and attentive as each community leader stepped forward
to talk about their people,
culture, history in Arizona,
issues important to them
and participation in the
state as Arizonans and
Americans.
“Each Asian community
leader at the Roundtable
was impressed by Doug’s
interest in learning about
their individual communities,” said Barry Wong, former legislator and corporation commissioner, and
Co-chair, Asian Americans
for Ducey. “It is rare in this
state that a candidate for
high office would take the
time and express genuine
interest in learning about
the unique ethnic groups
which are commonly and
collectively referred to as
‘Asians.’ “
Election Day is Tuesday,
November 4, 2014. Polls
open at 6:00am and close
at 7:00pm; if you are in line by
7:00pm you will be allowed to
vote. Remember to take government issued identification
(driver license, ID-only card,
passport) to the Poll. For elec-
tion information (Poll location,
voter registration status, description of ballot content) visit
www.azsos.gov. Your vote is
your voice.
"Asian American Leadership Roundtable with Doug Ducey Governor Candidate. (l-r) Peter Chan, Bernard Wu, Charles Chiu,
Doug Ducey, Garry Ong, Barry Wong and Astria Wong. Photo
courtesy of Jeff Jenq."