Thanksgiving has a special place in the hearts of UCA family members, because we have so much to be thankful and grateful about each other.
Your abundant support, care and faith in UCA and its ideals have forged and sustained UCA, a growing community civic movement spearheaded by the very best and most Beautiful Chinese Americans and our Chinese American friends in UCA family who care about our community, care for UCA family, and believe in changing ourselves and the world for the better.
On this special occasion, a special appreciation for those who have attended 2018 and 2016 UCA Convention and have donated generously to UCA so that our dream shall live on.
Although we cannot gather together for the holiday, on this Thanksgiving, our gratefulness for and the sharing of our dreams with each other will keep us together and keep us strong.
An Open Letter from the Chinese American Community in Support of the Jewish Community Following the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting
To Our Jewish Brethren,
Shalom, Chaverim!
The Chinese American community condemns in the strongest possible terms the hate-fueled murder of 11 Jewish Americans at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on October 28, 2018, the worst attack on the Jewish community in American history. We stand in solidarity with the American Jewish community at this difficult time, and we wish to offer the families of the victims and the survivors our profound sympathy and condolences.
As a community that has historically suffered enormously from discrimination, violence and naked racism, we feel a unique and urgent sense of responsibility to fight anti-Semitism, hatred and violence in whatever form, wherever it rears its head in our society, right alongside you.
Throughout our common history, Chinese Americans have enjoyed a deep and intimate kinship with our Jewish brethren, not only in America but also in other parts of the world. Let it be known to the world that an attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of us; a Jewish life taken is a life taken from our community as well. Once again, we wish to assert in no uncertain terms that Chinese Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with American Jews at this sad time.
This senseless killing has once again revealed the ugly face of hate and intolerance in America today. It underscores the national urgency that all Americans must come together to fight against the hate, violence and corrosive political divisiveness that are far too prevalent in our society today.
Together with our Jewish brethren and indeed all Americans, we stand ready for this fight. We must and will win the struggle for an America that is tolerant, compassionate and peaceful.
UCA Statement on the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting in Pittsburgh
October 30th, 2018.
United Chinese Americans (UCA), a nationawide coalition of Chinese American organizations, condemns in the strongest possible terms the racist- and hate-fueled murder of 11 Jewish Americans at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on October 28, 2018. We stand in solidarity with the American Jewish community at this difficult time, and we offer the families of the victims and the survivors our profound sympathy and condolences.
As a community that has suffered enormously from discrimination, violence, and naked racism in American history, we feel a unique and urgent sense of responsibility to fight hatred, violence and intolerance in whatever form, wherever it rears its head in our society.
One year ago, when Indian American engineers were similarly killed by crazed racists, UCA stood up and organized an open letter co-signed by over 100 Chinese American organizations to condemn hate and violence and support our fellow Asian Americans.
Chinese Americans have enjoyed a deep and intimate relationship with our Jewish brethren throughout our common history, not only in America but also in other parts of the world. An attack on the Jewish community is an attack to us all; a Jewish life taken is a life taken from our community as well. We wish to assert in no uncertain terms that Chinese Americans stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish community at this sad time.
This senseless killing has once again revealed the ugly face of hate and intolerance in America today. It underscores the national urgency that all Americans must come together to fight against the racism, violence and corrosive political divisiveness that are too prevalent in our society today.
We must and will win this fight for an America that is tolerant, compassionate and peaceful.
Under the theme: “Strengthening Our Community, Embracing a Pluralistic Society”, United Chinese Americans (UCA) successfully held our second Chinese American Convention in Washington DC, on September 27-29, 2018. The Convention was attended by approximately 500 participants representing 32 States, as well as from Canada and Greater China region.
United Chinese Americans (美国华人联合会 ucausa.org) is one of the largest Chinese American community organizations dedicated to civic engagement and political participation in America. Since its incorporation in 2017, UCA has set up seven chapters in the United States and established more than 20 Chinese community partners across the country.
With a trade war threatening to unravel US-China relations, at a time of debilitating political polarization, and amid growing unease among Chinese Americans regarding the heightened sense of national security, the 2018 Chinese American Convention, one of the largest of its kind, addressed these complex concerns head on. The Convention aimed to provide the unique perspective of Chinese Americans, a critical ethnic minority that bridges the two countries but often bears the brunt of the bilateral conflict and tension, socially, economically, and mentally.
The two-day program is preceded by a half-day visit to Capitol Hill on September 27. The UCA delegation of over 150 Convention attendees visited the offices of more than 50 Members of Congress. The delegation expressed their growing concern that the Chinese American community may become, once again, the victim or collateral damage brought on by worsening U.S.-China relations.
The Congressional visit on the afternoon of September 27 is followed by a Congressional reception, which eight Members of Congress attended: Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Ted Lieu, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Al Green, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congressman Bobby Scott, Congressman Danny Davis, and Congressman Dwight Evens. They welcomed Convention attendees to Washington DC, shared their concerns and encouraged the Chinese American community to increase its engagement with the U.S. Congress. The Congressional visit marks the first time that the Chinese American community has taken such a large-scale organized Congressional visit to bring their concerns to their Members of Congress in DC.
As part of the main convention program, the organizers invited four keynote speakers: Ambassador Gary Locke, Federal judge Theodore Chuang, former Deputy Secretary of Labor Chris Lu, and University of Maryland-College Park president Wallace Loh. They each shared with the convention attendees their own personal story, their views on current affairs in America, and how Chinese Americans can be more civically and politically engaged in American life.
Plenary topics discussed at the Convention included:
The U.S.-China trade war;
Chinese American civil rights history and political movement;
Current governmental scrutiny over the Chinese American scientific community;
How to properly conduct scientific and technological exchange as immigrants;
Chinese American success stories of political participation;
Showcase of unique community organizations and their projects;
How to define or redefine “success” for the next generation; and
How to conduct civic dialogue in a time of political polarization.
Furthermore, in breakout sessions, three well-received panels focused on Chinese American mental health, how to raise funds for non-profit organizations and how to support the Chinese adoptee community, especially in their effort to reunite adoptees with their birth parents in China.
Also during the convention, the UCA project “Interactive Chinese American Heritage Map”, a first of its kind, was unveiled to the public for anyone to use who wants to find information online about Chinese American history.
Another highlight of the Convention is the signing of the Convention Washington Manifesto, a milestone UCA document that calls for Chinese Americans to redouble their efforts to civically and politically engage in the American society.
To promote and nurture strong civic-minded citizenship in the Chinese American community, at the Gala Award Dinner on September 28, the Convention Steering Committee presented award to outstanding Chinese Americans and their organizations that have served the community and the United States with distinction and honor.
The Awardees include:
Former Ambassador to China Gary Locke received Chinese American Lifetime Achievement Award;
Xiafen Sherry Chen of Ohio received Advancing Justice Award;
Citizens for Better Community (CBC) of Fremont CA received Outstanding Chinese American Organization Award;
C.W. Chan of Chicago received Chinese American Civic Leadership Award;
Dr. William Wan of Chicago received Chinese American Charitable Giving Award;
Anna Wang of Fremont CA received Outstanding Community Service Award;
US-China People’s Friendship Association received US-China Bridge Builder Award;
Rebecca Kuang of Dallas received Iris Chang Award for Media Excellence;
Warren and Wesley Wang of Long Island NY received Chinese American Youth Leadership Award; and
Feng Xue of Iowa received Outstanding UCA Volunteer Award.
This is a trying time as well as a very promising time for Chinese Americans. This 2018 Chinese American Convention has reinvigorated UCA’s mission to serve, lead and inspire our community; it has greatly expanded UCA family and renewed friendship among the attendees; it has strengthened our community in its preparedness for a uncertain future.
Above all, this Convention has pointed out a great pathway for Chinese American community to move forward: to be a proud Chinese American and to nurture a compassionate society all around us, we must be civically and politically fully engaged and contributing in the entirety of the American society in our individual, familial and community life. Because there is simply no other or better way forward.
UCA’s first Civic Leadership Forum in 2018, sponsored by Civic Leadership UCA, will be convened at Renaissance Hotel in Carmel, Indianna on September 15th, 2018.
The Impact of Espionage Investigations on The Asian American Community
A dialogue with the FBI, Attorneys and Academic and Community Leaders
Houston- A group of national and local Asian American organizations will hold an educational forum on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Crowne Plaza Suites, 9090 Southwest Freeway @ Gessner. It is free and open to the public, but space is limited, and reservations are required at http://bit.ly/2018ESPForum.
This educational forum will provide the opportunity for the Asian American community to have a direct dialogue with FBI, attorneys and academic and community leaders. The important and potentially dangerous impacts of the economic espionage act and other related policies and how Asian Americans can protect themselves and their institutions will be discussed.
WHY IS THIS ISSUE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY?
In recent years, a number of innocent American citizens of Asian descent have been falsely accused of espionage. On August 26, 2018, CBS 60 Minutes broadcasted “Collateral Damage,” about two American scientists, Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi, whose lives were turned upside down by such accusations. Indeed, Sherry Chen was fired for untrustworthiness after she was exonerated. Disregarding the order by the Chief Administrative Judge of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board to reinstate Sherry Chen to her position on Apr. 23, 2018 and a letter signed by over 30 Members of Congress that was sent to the Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Commerce still refused to return Sherry Chen to her previous position back since she was taken from her office on Oct. 20, 2014. Although Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi may appear to be isolated incidents, a recent study published by the Committee of 100, suggests that as many as 1 in 5 people of Asian heritage accused of espionage may be innocent.
In developing this forum, the organizing committee intended that it should inform and educate the Asian community on how to prevent such situations to befall them, especially to those in positions in the government, business, research and academic sectors.
The forum will be divided into two panels with a complimentary lunch. The morning panel discussion will be comprised of a panel moderated by Hon. Gordon Quan, former Houston City Council member and immigration attorney. The panel is comprised of Attorney Andrew Kim who co-authored a white paper on “Prosecuting Chinese Spies: An Empirical Analysis of the Economic Espionage Act”; FBI Special Agent Michael Morgan, who worked on espionage and media leak investigations and was appointed the FBI Strategic Partnership Coordinator for the Houston Division; and Kent Schaffer, an experienced defense attorney who is familiar with federal court procedures. (Video or audio recording are NOT allowed during the morning panel.)
Nelson Dong, a member of the Committee of 100, will be the key note speaker at lunch. Mr. Dong is a partner in Dorsey’s Corporate group, Chair of the National Security Law practice, co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific practice and a leading expert in domestic and international technology and intellectual property. The afternoon panel discussion will be joined by leaders of Texas higher education, including Dr. Da Hsuan Feng, former Vice President for Research at the University of Texas at Dallas who will moderate; Dr. Juan Sanchez, Temple Foundation Endowed Professor and former Vice President for Research at the University of Texas at Austin; George Wu, Partner at McAndrew’s Held & Malloy LTD and Nelson Dong, who will serve as panelists.
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National Sponsors
United Chinese Americans
Civic Leadership USA
Committee of 100
Platinum Sponsor
Crowne Plaza Suites Houston – Near Sugar Land
Gold sponsors
Alice and Mark Lee
Chinese Professional Club–Houston
Houston Chinese Alliance
OCA Greater Houston
U.S. Chinese People’s Friendship Assoc. Houston Chapter
Silver Sponsors
Asian American Bar Association Asian American Bar Assoc. of Houston
Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, Houston Texas Chapter
Chinese American Citizens Alliance Houston Lodge
Helen Yeh
Tom Ing
Friends
Chinese American Petroleum Assoc.
Chinese Civic Center
Houston 80-20 Asian American PAC
Houston Chinese Faculty Association
Houston Community College Chinese Students and Scholars Association
University of Houston Chinese Students and Scholars Association
UCA welcomes our newest community partner: Massachusetts General Hospital MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness, an affiliate of MGH, with Harvard Medical School affiliated doctors! UCApartnered with the Center in 2017 for “Asian Parents, American Children” parenting conference in Chicago , and they will be speaking again at “2018 Chinese American Convention” next month. UCA will continue to join efforts to promote Asian American youth mental health to fulfill our mission for youth development and to “Serve, Lead, and Inspire” our community! Please visit their website www.mghstudentwellness.org
2018 Chinese American Convention Online Fundraising Drive
August 6th, 2018. Washington, DC
Today, UCA is launching its once a year online tax-deductible fundraising drive for the 2018 Chinese American Convention and UCA operating fund for 2019.
Thanks to our passionate members and friends all over the country, our community had a great inaugural Chinese American Convention in 2016. Since its incorporation in 2017, UCA has grown to be a national federation with 7 chapters, over 14 community partners and many more members. We have since led several nationwide initiatives and projects, positively impacting our community and elevating her standing in the larger society.
Now, UCA has entered into its most critical second year and the most critical second Convention, which is only about 50 days away. Please consider generously giving the Convention and UCA a helping hand! It will be one of the best investments you have ever made: a lifeline to make sure our children and our community will have a better future! Thank you so much for your generosity and your trust in us!
Today, we start the fundraising drive with a goal of raising $100,000, and with a special promotion: 1) if you donate $500 or more now, you will become a UCA lifetime member plus one free hotel night at the Convention (all hotel free nights for the promotion are non-transferable); 2) if you donate $1,000 or more now, you will become a UCA founding member plus two free hotel nights at the Convention; if you donate $2,500 or more now, you will become a UCA founding member plus three hotel nights at the Convention and one free Convention registration; if you donate $5,000 or more now, you will become a UCA founder plus three hotel nights, two free registrations, and the benefits associated with being a $5,000 level Convention sponsor. You will need to book the Convention hotel room by yourself and UCA will reimburse you for the hotel room night(s) you have booked when you go to the Convention.
For donor and sponsor benefits, please refer to the table . Contact information: for sponsorship, please email lily.chen@ucausa.org; for donor & member services and hotel related inquiries, please email: info@ucausa.org.
How to make a donation:
1) Online donation and payment via PayPal: info@u-c-a.org or info@ucausa.org; by credit card/debit card: https://ucausa.org/our-supporters/donate-to-uca/
2) Check donation: make check payable to United Chinese Americans (UCA) and mail the check to: 1050 Connecticut Ave NW. Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036. Please write your email address on the memo line of your check
3) Stock/brokerage account donation: please contact Yan Bellantoni at ybella88@gmail.com
4) Wire transfer donation: please contact: Dr. Ray Liang, Treasurer, treasurer@ucausa.org
UCA is a non-profit, non partisan 501 (c) (3) organization, with Tax ID: #82-1111498.
UCA Statement on DOC Appeal Decision Against Sherry Chen
June 19th, 2018. Washington, DC
Today is a sad day for Sherry Chen. It is a sad day for Chinese and Asian Americans. Above all, it is a sad day for American justice and fairness.
Department of Commerce (DOC) has just filed today an appeal on the Sherry Chen ruling before MSPB, a federal administrative board which has just ruled in Sherry Chen’s favor. By doing so, DOC attempts to defend its indefensible decisions of firing Sherry Chen, an award-winning federal hydrologist and naturalized Chinese American, after she was cleared of any criminal charges brought against her by the Federal government.
Defying the court ruling against the government, defying the Congressional outrage over the way DOC has handled the case, defying many troubling revelations exposed by the national media, defying the loud outcry from scientific, human rights and Asian American communities, DOC officials have chosen to continue on the wrong path they followed from the very beginning of Sherry Chen saga: they unlawfully profiled her because of her country of origin; they falsely accused her with spy-related charges and they vindictively fired her for trumped up reasons that no fair minded Americans would comprehend or agree. Just as MSPB judge stated in her long and detailed ruling: Sherry Chen is “victim of a gross injustice”.
This appeal decision is simply outrageous. It will do further harm to Sherry Chen in her sixth year Odyssean fight against government by delaying her deserved justice; it piles one mistake upon another by DOC officials; it further damages the public trust placed in our government instead of restoring it; it is a total waste of taxpayer money to save the face of a few; above all, it is a sheer mockery of American justice and fairness.
United Chinese Americans (UCA) has, from day one, come to the defense of Sherry Chen and other Chinese Americans when their civil rights are being trampled or threatened. We have rallied our communities to support Sherry Chen across the country. We have worked with the press, other Asian American organizations, and US Congress to press for the case of Sherry Chen. Today, we call on our communities to redouble its efforts to support Sherry Chen by contacting elected officials, media, and any concerned organizations to demand that DOC officials reverse this wrongful decision immediately.
The saga of Sherry Chen fighting for her justice is shaping up to be another milestone and critical moment for Chinese and Asian Americans. For its part, UCA shall continue to support and fight for Sherry Chen until the day justice prevails for Sherry Chen and for our communities.
Three and a half years after her being wrongfully charged and arrested in October 2014, two years after her termination in March 2016, Sherry Chen finally received a favorable ruling from the Chief Administrative Judge Michele Szary Schroeder of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which orders Department of Commerce (DOC), to reinstate Sherry’s employment and pay back her salary and benefit she lost.
The Chief AdministrativeJudge Michele Szary Schroeder ruled on behalf of MSPB, an independent quasi-judicial body of the US federal government. She believes that Sherry is the victim of a “gross injustice”. The judge rejected completely the DOC’s many allegations against Sherry Chen, and ordered the US Commerce Department to let Sherry Chen return to work and pay her salary. “This is the victory of strength and faith, it is our common victory.” Said Sherry Chen in a recent interview.
UCA and other national Chinese American organizations have been working hard and strongly support Sherry Chen through years. UCA is also actively discouraging DOC to appeal to this well reasoned ruling.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/business/accused-of-spying-for-china-until-she-wasnt.html
“Sherry Chen is a hero” C100 Chairman Frank Wu on Sherry’s perseverance in her 6 year-long fight for justice. C100 hosted a press conference for Sherry in Silicon Valley on Friday, May 4. UCA president Haipei Shue was also invited to speak at the press conference. In the evening, Sherry and her husband attended dinner with a dozens of long time supporters hosted by the United Chinese Americans. Next morning, president Shue introduced Sherry to the honorable Gary Locke at the C100 annual conference. The former secretary of commerce promised Sherry that he will contact Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and suggest the Department of Commerce not to appeal the MSPD ruling in favor of Sherry.
