TWENTY-ONE OUTSTANDING CITIZENS

(adapted from an article appearing in 1998 Festival Program)

Although the Chinese Cultural Society was organized in 1978, it was not until 1984 that the Society established its program of honoring a single individual as the Outstanding Chinese Citizen of the Year. During its formative years prior to 1984, Society leadership engaged in strengthening its foundation and taking on the task of creating Chinese cultural programs to educate and inform the citizens of Stockton. A prime focus then was organizing and promoting a public celebration of the Chinese New Year which would reach out to the entire community.

As the Society came of age, members realized it was time to bring special attention to Chinese citizens who make major contributions to bettering the community. The Society believed that, while many of these were known for their activities within the Chinese community, they deserved to be publicly recognized and honored. Thus was born the program of designating the Outstanding Chinese Citizen of the Year.

Several of the previous honorees were active in the founding of the Chinese Cultural Society. All were instrumental in some way in promoting the welfare of the Chinese community and its members as well as bringing honor to themselves and the community through leadership in more-broadly based civic affairs. Each well deserved the honor. Previous honorees and their contributions are listed below:

• 1984 Ken Fong, early CCSS benefactor and promoter of Junior Achievement
• 1985 Lyman Mow, active with the Chinese School, Chinese Association and a Jene Wah founder
• 1986 Huey Tai Soon, successful Delta farmer known as the "Potato King".
• 1987 S. L. Fong, herbalist and civic leader with the Chinese Language School and Confucius Church
• 1988 Paul K. Yee, herbalist, educator, Yee Family Association founder, numerous other activities
• 1989 Doon G. Wong, businessman & community leader in many major Chinese organizations
• 1990 George L. Wang, founding president of CCSS, community leader
• 1991 Jimmy Lam, businessman, community benefactor, corporate community leader
• 1992 Keith Wong, 1 st Chinese principal in SUSD, Chinese historian, educational and civic leader
• 1993 Judge Frank Kim, Jurist, advisor and officer of Chinese Association, family association, others
• 1994 Edward Ah Tye, businessman, Cathay Club founder, St. Mark's Church and other civic activities
• 1995 Conrad Mar, extensive community activisim in both Chinese & non-Chinese affairs
• 1996 Dr. Ray Tom, educator and activist in education & Chinese-oriented organizations
• 1997 Dr. Dora Ames Lee Wong, physician; community activist & philanthropist, humanitarian
• 1998 Dr. Elizabeth Blanchard, educator and community leader active with Chinese Association,
• Soroptimist and other civic organizations
• 1999 Skipper K. Yee, businessman, community activitist, youth leader of Chinese Y groups
• 2000 Sylvia Sun Minnick, author, historian, City Councilmember, Chinese Association & Quan Ying
• Foundation
• 2001 Shirley Ng, founder/director of Chinese Folk Dance Troupe, St. Mark's church & community
• leader
• 2002 Dr. Guey Mark, Cathay Club leader, community benefactor
• 2003 Dr. Chen F. Liem, Chinese Association, Quan Ying Foundation & Clubhouse, CCSS Volunteer
• 2004 Bonnie Lew, Jene Wah board president, Folk Dance Troupe leader, community activist
• 2005 Victor Mow, Jene Wah director, County Supervisor, vice-mayor
• 2006 Robert Hong, Civil servant, community leader, community activist.
• 2007 Dr. Teresa Chen. community leader, medical practioner.