Los Angeles, California— On June 7th, the Southern California’s first “Exemplary Parents, Outstanding Leaders” award ceremony was held at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles. The event also served as a fundraiser for the Los Angeles Chinese School to promote Chinese culture and assist overseas Chinese in learning the Chinese language. California Secretary of Finance Ma Shiyun, Assemblyman Fang Shuqiang, Deputy Director Chang Zhengyu of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, Deputy Director Zheng Xinru of the Los Angeles Overseas Chinese Center, and 600 other leaders and dignitaries from the Southern California Chinese community attended the event.
President of the Chinese American Federation of Southern California Luo Shuzhen stated that holding the awards ceremony on the 135th anniversary of the Chinese American Museum was particularly meaningful. The “Exemplary Parents Award” has been a tradition of the federation for many years during Mother’s Day, with three exemplary parent couples and one outstanding mother receiving awards this year. In addition, the newly established “Outstanding Leaders Award” aims to recognize outstanding achievements of Asian Americans in Southern California in fields such as politics, finance, trade, culture, arts, and technology, serving as role models for the younger generation. A total of 33 individuals or groups were honored with awards.
Dr. Zhang Manjun, who was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award in Education and Public Affairs,” is a former Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education in the United States. During her tenure on the California Board of Education, she advocated for the inclusion of Chinese history in social science textbooks and, in 2012, successfully lobbied for Mandarin Chinese to be recognized as one of the world’s important languages. Dr. Zhang’s father served as the chairman of the board of the Los Angeles Chinese School, and her mother taught at a Chinese school for over a decade. She expressed her gratitude for the award and believed she was accepting it on behalf of her parents to celebrate their contributions to Chinese education.
Host of the banquet and Vice President of the Chinese American Federation of Southern California Lin Huiyi, highlighted that the Los Angeles Chinese School was established in 1952 and has been dedicated to Chinese language education for over seventy years. However, the school has been facing financial challenges in recent years, necessitating fundraising efforts to continue promoting overseas Chinese language education development. The proceeds from the banquet’s raffle and auction will be used to support the Los Angeles Chinese School.
Although Congresswoman Zhao Meixin, who was awarded the Lifetime Contribution Leadership Award, was unable to attend, she sent a video expressing gratitude to the organizers and acknowledging the contributions of the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles to the Southern California Chinese community. Other awardees included Ma Shiyun, Fang Shuqiang, former Monterey Park Mayor Linda Jin, Walnut City Councilman Qin Zhenguo, Monterey Park Councilman Yao Yingfan, Diamond Bar Mayor Liu Xulin, former Mayor of Happy Valley Hu zhang Yan Yan, School District Police Chief Wu Weilin, the Chen Kangning Family Foundation, the Los Angeles Chinatown Service Center, the United States-Macau Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Xie Bowang, Wang Zhen, Guo Chunmei and World Forever Honorary Chairman of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Waigang, Changxing Jewelry Chairman Li You Miaoling, Dr. Yang Huaizhou, Director Hu Kun of the Yu Bin Cardinal Care Home, Dr. Chen Shimei, Dr. Kong Xianzhao, Zhang Yuansong, Dr. Wen Guanghua, Dr. Chen Yaohua, artist Lai Yangxuan, lawyer Fang Xiaowei, Cen Wenjie Zhi, Huangpu Friends Association President Xie Chuanzuo, former District Director Lu Zhengda of Lions Club International D4-L2, Monrovia Lions Club President He Peiyuan, Dr. Wang Zhuqing, lawyer Yang Anli, and Chief Growth Officer of Fuchen Health Insurance Li Xiaozhen.
The recipients of the Exemplary Parents Award were Liu Rongwen, Cheng Meilisa, Huang Huicong, Xie Baozhong and Tan Ruijin, and Wen Weifang and Fan Rong received the Exemplary Good Mother Award.