ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO
FOUNDERS AND MEMBERS
THE ASIAN
AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO:
A PROGRESS REPORT
Jung Lowe,
J.D.
AACC Founding Member
In May, 1982, several Asian Americans organized themselves in Chicago to start a coalition of their diverse ethnic communities in Illinois. We wanted to organize and promote equal opportunity in government, education, economic development, and international affairs in order to hasten the entrance of all Asian Americans into the mainstream of society.
We decided to move toward these goals by working closely with the Office of the Governor of Illinois. In September, 1982, we became the founding members of the Illinois Asian American Advisory Council to the Governor, for the purpose of assisting state government to become more responsive to the concerns of its ethnic Asian citizens.
In November, 1983, the Asian American Advisory Council members were invited to Springfield for a breakfast meeting with Governor Thompson. The members who attended included Shinae Chun, Jung Y. Lowe, Eung Man Cha, Nguyen-Trung Hieu, David L. Liu, Surendra K. Saxena, William J. Yoshino.
We frankly discussed our desire to (1) create a position of Special Assistant to the Governor for Asian American affairs, (2) place qualified Asian Americans in policymaking positions in state government, (3) appoint suitable Asian Americans to state authorities, boards, and commissions, (4) involve Asian Americans in state economic development, foreign trade, and investment programs, and (5) develop and expand education and job training programs for Asian immigrants and refugees. Governor Thompson enthusiastically agreed to help us achieve these goals.
In early 1984, Shinae Chun was appointed the first Special Assistant to the Governor for Asian American Affairs in the history of Illinois and the nation. Members were added to the Illinois Asian American Advisory Council to the Governor. Our communities joined in celebrating the first Asian Lunar New Year Banquet with many dignitaries. This symbolic coming together of all Asian American communities in the state has been repeated each year.
As we celebrate this year’s banquet, the record shows real progress toward each of the original goals. The following are some highlights of many programs involving the Asian American communities:
Year 1988: Breakfast meeting, including community leaders, with Governor Thompson; Japan Festival; Consultations with Jewish community; Social needs of students; State jobs; Essay and poster contest for children; State internships for college students; Medical Practice Act; Bilingual education program; Nursing home certification; Appointments to Illinois boards and council, bringing the total to 25 appointees by Governor Thompson; Business executives seminar.
Year 1987: Expand Council from 14 to 24 members; Minority business seminars; Immigration workshop; World Trade Conference; Directory of Asian American organizations; Refugee program; Medical assistance program; Tourism promotion for ethnic community; Antisocial corrective programs; Housing project planning; Volunteer action program; Assistance to chamber of commerce; Assist religous organizations.
Year 1986: Cooperation with the Mayor of Chicago’s Asian American Committee; Report on education; Build Illinois assistance to community; Refugee resettlement program; Assistance to religious groups; Political opportunities; Workshop on technology training.
Year 1985: Leadership training seminar; Export trade development; Reception and meeting with Governor Thompson and representatives of Asian Pacific countries on bilateral trade and investment.
Year 1984: Held the Asian American Lunar New Year Celebration with prominent political leaders; Developed criteria for selecting the Special Assistant to the Governor; Expanded membership of the Council to include representatives from more ethnic communities; Meetings on local business development programs; Leadership training workshop; Breakfast meeting with the Governor in Chinatown; Established working committees on Health, Education and Welfare, Community Relations, Appointments to State Organizations, Economic Development, and International Business.
E-mail of the 23rd
Annual Asian American
Coalition of Chicago Celebration 2006: aaccfeb2006@hotmail.com,
or aaccfeb2006@yahoo.com
Last updated: 22 January 2006 21:37
by Martino Tangkar (Webmaster)
