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Press Release
July 10, 2002
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Giles Li, 202-223-5500
Rosa Hsu 801-651-2143
Organization of Chinese Americans
OCA CONVENTION CONVENES APA HISTORICAL SOCIETIES SUMMIT AND VISITS HISTORIC
TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD SITE
Salt Lake City, UT - The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), a national
Asian Pacific American civil rights and education group with headquarters in
Washington, DC, will hold its 24th Annual Convention at the Sheraton City Centre
Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah from July 25, 2002 through July 28, 2002. The
theme of this year's convention is "Celebrating Unity through Diversity."
Thanks to funding from IBM and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. the OCA
Convention will offer participants a chance to go to Promontory Summit, the site
where the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroad lines were joined to form
the first transcontinental railroad in 1869. When a photograph was taken to
commemorate the event, the thousands of Chinese laborers who were involved in
the construction of the railroad were left out of the frame, as well as the
books and history classes.
Phil Choy, Chinese American historian and one of the founders of the Chinese
Historical Society of America, will keynote the event. As a well-known scholar
of Asian American Studies, his insight
will help all attendees better understand the importance of the event in Asian
American history. Also speaking at the event will be Mary Risser, Superintendent
of the Golden Spike National Historic Site.
In 1999, OCA National President George M. Ong was the first individual of
Chinese descent to speak at a rededication of the site. At this year's
convention, OCA members and friends will spend time at one of the most
significant locations in Asian American history.
"I was honored to be the first Chinese American to ever speak at that event at
Promontory Summit," said Ong. "I am overjoyed that convention-goers from across
the country will be able to experience the site for themselves."
In addition, OCA will be hosting an Asian Pacific American Historical Societies
Summit from 9 am - 12 Noon on Saturday, July 27, 2002 at the Sheraton City
Centre Hotel. Missing In History (MIH) is the current status of the story of
Asian Pacific Americans. However, there has been in recent years, an increase in
the number of APA historical societies and museums being established. This
summit will bring together APA curators, historians, museum, program directors,
and anyone who is interested in discussing how we can effectively pool our
resources together and change the way our "American" stories are being told. One
of the topics to be addressed is how to work with educators to develop and
promote curriculum in U.S. history classes and ensure inclusiveness of the many
groups who historically have been under represented. A special presentation by
the Angel Island Immigration Forum and the National Educators Association will
be presented. This session is free and open to the public.
For $45, individuals can purchase a ticket to the Promontory Summit, which also
includes a dinner. For more information, contact OCA at 202-223-5500 or check
the OCA website at www.ocanatl.org.
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