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“CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. MAN J. CHA, DR. WALTER FUNG, DR. TOYOKO MAE TAKAHASHI, MR. SUTEE VATANATHAM, AND MS. IA V. XIONG” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E824-E825 on May 12, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. MAN J. CHA, DR. WALTER FUNG, DR. TOYOKO MAE
TAKAHASHI, MR. SUTEE VATANATHAM, AND MS. IA V. XIONG
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HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Man J. Cha, Walter Fung, M.D., Toyoko Mae Takahashi, Pharm. D., Sutee Vatanatham, and Ia V. Xiong, for being selected the 1998 Portraits of Success Program Honorees by KSEE 24 and Companies that Care. In recognition of Asian American Heritage Month, these five leaders were honored for their unique contribution to the betterment of the community.
Dr. Man J. Cha has served as Professor of political science and public administration at California State University, Fresno since 1969. He earned his masters and doctoral degrees from the School of Public Administration at the University of Southern California. He also earned his baccalaureate degree in International Relations and Economics from this acclaimed University. Since 1965, Dr. Cha has made significant contributions as an instructor in higher education. He has taught public management, organizational theory and behavior, and many other courses related to American government and public policy issues. He has also conducted extensive research related to environmental issues, economic development and the political and social culture of South Korea. In 1988, he was awarded a Rotary Foundation International Ambassadorial Scholarship to give lectures in Korea and the United States. In 1992 he was awarded a major grant from the Korea Research Foundation to study Korean bureaucracy and public policy. More recently, Dr. Cha was on sabbatical leave conducting policy research in China and Korea. Dr. Cha has published numerous scholarly works on a broad range of social and environmental issues related to Korea, Asian-
American politics and America's economic foreign policy. On the local front, Dr. Cha served as a member of Fresno City Review Committee which recommended Fresno's strong mayor form of government in 1992. He also conducts training workshops to introduce city, county, and state employees to an advanced systems approach to public management methodology and processes.
Dr. Walter Fung was born and raised in Fresno, California. He graduated from Edison High School in 1950 and later from California State University, Fresno. He received his degree in medicine from the University of California at Irvine specializing in gastroenterology. From 1971 until 1974, Dr. Fung served as the Medical Director for the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, providing clinical care, immunization, and health screenings to low-income individuals and children. In 1974 Dr. Fung was confronted with a life-changing experience, which he says brought him a renewed focus on life. He was diagnosed with cancer and given two years to live. He credits this frightening experience with adding a deeper dimension to his physician-
patient relationships. His own illness prompted him to serve others as much as possible. His caring and sensitivity has earned him public recognition for providing ``extraordinary patient care.'' More recently, Dr. Fung coordinated the building of the new First Chinese Baptist church in Fresno. The facility has become the hub of activities for the Chinese community. Dr. Fung personally was responsible for raising $700,000 of the $1.5 million needed to complete this project. His past community involvement also includes working with the Boy Scouts, the March of Dimes, and the Boys and Girls Club of Fresno. Today Dr. Fung says he will continue promoting ``filial piety'' among the Asian community. His future plans include helping to build a skilled nursing and retirement home for Asian seniors to best meet their dietary and cultural needs. Dr. Fung and his wife Barbara have been blessed with three children and two grandchildren.
Dr. Toyoko Mae Takahashi is described by her friends and professional colleagues as a ``perennial volunteer'' who has been active for many years helping to improve the Fresno and Clovis communities. Dr. Takahashi completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She attained a doctoral degree from the School of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco. In 1959, she completed a three-year pharmacy internship at Valley Medical Center in Fresno. In 1960, Dr. Takahashi established Valley Medical Pharmacy, Inc. (Manor drugs) acting as its corporate President. From 1969 until 1987, she served as a consultant for Hope Manor and Clovis Community Hospital. She later became a Partner at Hope Manor Convalescent Hospital, and more recently founded the Professional Pharmacy Alliance, Inc. and currently serves as the corporate President. In addition to her exemplary professional career, Dr. Takahashi is recognized for her extensive community service. She has been active for many years with Central California Asian Pacific Woman, an organization that helps to raise scholarships for deserving Asian Students. As well, she is active in the Soroptomist International of Fresno's Youth Forum. The Youth Forum is organized for students in Fresno and Clovis to provide young people with unique opportunities to discuss ways in which they can help to build a better society. Dr. Takahashi also served for five years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fresno Private Industry Council, which provides employment and training programs to local residents. She has also been very active with the Central California District Council, Japanese American Citizens League, the Central California Nikkei Foundation, and the Woodward Park Shin Zen Gardens. Additionally, she has served on numerous committees designed to promote small business development, higher education and civil rights protection of Japanese-Americans. In 1990, Dr. Toyoko Mae Takahashi was Appointed by President George Bush to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Citizen Advisory Committee in Equal Opportunity. That same year she was recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice for her support and dedication to the Japanese American Redress Program.
Mr. Sutee Vatanatham was born in Thailand in 1951. He and his family immigrated to Los Angeles, California, in the early 1970's where he attended public schools. In the mid 1970's, Mr. Vatanatham moved to Visalia, California, where he received a two-year degree in Engineering from College of the Sequoias. In 1980, he received a baccalaureate degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Fresno. In 1981, he opened the Thai House, the First Thai restaurant in Fresno. The restaurant has been rated the Best Thai Restaurant for four consecutive years, and three times the
``Best Asian Restaurant in the Valley'' by the ``Fresno Bee''. The Thai House employs more than 40 employees. In addition to becoming a successful restaurateur, Mr. Vatanatham has also made a significant contribution to our nation's defense. In 1988, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. In 1989, he was assigned to six month's active duty in Subic Bay, the Philippines, where he served in Operation Desert Shield. He later served in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia in Desert Storm. Mr. Vatanatham earned the National Defense Medal, the Achievement Commendation Medal, the South West Asian Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal for his military service. On the local front, Mr. Vatanatham has distinguished himself through his charitable work and contributions. He makes year-
round contributions to school activities, the Salvation Army, the Cancer Society, AMVETS, the March of Dimes, and the American Heart Association. Now, he volunteers to help build homes for Habitat for Humanity.
Ms. Ia V. Xiong was born in Highland Laos. She is the third daughter of seven children. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1980 when she was 12 years old. Despite the great number of obstacles that confront Southeast Asian immigrants, Ms. Xiong has distinguished herself by becoming a highly successful role model for the Hmong community and society. In 1992, she became the first Hmong-American woman to become a teacher in the Fresno-Clovis Area. Currently, Ms. Xiong works for Fresno Unified School District as a bilingual advisor. Previously, she worked six years with Clovis Unified School District as an elementary bilingual teacher. At Clovis Unified School District she designed unique bilingual reading materials and developed primary language support programs for first and third-grade Hmong students. Ms. Xiong is credited with developing unique multi cultural learning activities, such as her popular ``Story Night'' program. In 1987 Ia V. Xiong published ``The Gift: A Hmong New Year.'' This book has become a popular resource for people wanting to learn more about Hmong culture. Her translation of ``How The Farmer Tricked The Evil Demon,'' has become another favorite among bilingual teachers who work with Hmong students. Ia V. Xiong is active in community service. She currently serves as a board member for the Fresno Center for New Americans. She is also past President of the Association of California School Administrators, Region IX, and is an active participant of the Hmong Language Institute. Ms. Xiong is married to Chalee Xiong. They are blessed with two young boys, Kien and Vincent.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate Dr. Man J. Cha, Dr. Walter Fung, Dr. Toyoko Mae Takahashi, Mr. Sutee Vatanatham, and Ms. Ia V. Xiong for being recognized as the KSEE 24 and Companies that Care 1998 Portraits of Success Honorees in celebration of Asian-
American Heritage Month. I applaud the contributions, ideals, and leadership they have exhibited in our community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing these fine individuals many more years of success.
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