Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding hosted the first “Honoring Chinese Pioneers” event and announced plans to build a traditional Chinese-style pavilion. 索诺玛市市長丁駿輝等在市府廣場舉辦首場「回顧華人先賢偉績」活動 暨建造中國傳統風格之「涼亭」座落該市

Source from: Sing Tao Daily. 資訊來源：星島日報

Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding, elected officials David Chiu, Betty Rao, and Sherry Hu, along with AEA Entrepreneurs Association President Huabin He and other members, posed for a group photo with enthusiastic participants at the event. Photo by Kunling Yeh. 索诺玛市市長丁駿輝等政要、三位民選官員朱感生、饒影凡、Sherry Hu，及AEA企業家聯誼會會長何華斌等成員，與參加活動的熱心人士合照留念。葉坤玲攝

出席Sonoma市市府舉辦的首場「回顧華人歷史」主禮嘉賓、AEA成員及義工團隊、社區團體及好友，在市府門前合照。葉坤玲攝

Special Reporter Kunling Yeh Reporting from Sonoma City

To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Sonoma, California—known as the Wine Country—held its first-ever public event titled “Honoring the Legacy of Chinese Pioneers in Sonoma” on the morning of May 22 at the City Hall Plaza. Attendees came from across the Bay Area, including many members of the Chinese American community.

The event was hosted by Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding and key officials, alongside the American Entrepreneurs Association (AEA) led by President Ben He, Vice President Manna Lee, and board members including Hua Zhong Lin, Kai-en Liang, Jin-song Huang, Di-jia Liu, Bo-tang Lin, Benyu Li, Flora Zhou, Lei-peng Yu, Coco Jin, and Steven Wu, who all contributed to organizing the event. Numerous volunteers and enthusiastic participants also took part. Elected officials present included former State Assemblyman Kansen Chu and his spouse, Monterey Park City Councilmember and former Mayor Yvonne Yiu, Dublin City Councilmember Sherry Hu, as well as Sonoma Historic Preservation Alliance Chair Robert C. Demler Jr. and renowned local historian Jim Silverman, who all gave remarks that enriched the event’s impact.

The event was emceed by AEA youth members Michelle Tam, Grace Wei, Valerie Li, and Michelle Liu. Mayor Ding opened the ceremony with a warm welcome and sincere thanks to all attendees. He noted that 150 years ago, 25% of Sonoma’s population were Chinese laborers who traveled across the ocean to contribute to the city’s development through great hardship and sacrifice. Despite their vital role, they were treated unfairly and their contributions largely forgotten. To address this, on May 18, 2022, the Sonoma City Council passed a resolution to officially recognize AAPI Heritage Month, commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to America in 1843, and honor the approximately 2,000 Chinese laborers who arrived in 1869. The resolution also recognizes the vast contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to California’s economy and society, including the diversity of 32 Asian and African ethnic groups and 77 Asian languages spoken in the state.

Mayor Ding formally apologized on behalf of Sonoma to all Asians who have faced unfair treatment in the city’s history. He emphasized the importance of promoting multiculturalism and jointly celebrating AAPI Heritage Month.

Robert C. Demler Jr., Chair of the Sonoma Historic Preservation Alliance, welcomed attendees and spoke about Sonoma’s beautiful geography and rich history, sharing his personal choice to settle in Sonoma after living in 11 countries.

Local historian Jim Silverman presented original architectural maps from 150 years ago, illustrating the distribution of Chinese residents in Sonoma at that time. He announced plans to publish a bilingual (Chinese, English, and Spanish) illustrated history of the Chinese pioneers and archaeological findings in the city within two months. He highlighted Sonoma as the birthplace of California’s wine country and emphasized the essential role Chinese laborers played in building the region’s railroads, digging wine cellars, and planting vineyards. However, he lamented the lack of historical records and memorials for these workers and their burial sites, underscoring the significance of today’s commemorative event.

AEA President Ben He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and friends whose support made the event possible. He shared that his son Benson, a fourth-grade student currently learning California history, benefited greatly from participating in this live history lesson, including a visit to the Vallejo General’s former residence. Ben He also thanked Mayor Ding and Chair Demler for sharing the untold stories of Chinese laborers in Sonoma and for supporting the construction of a traditional Chinese pavilion in the city. AEA members and supporters have already raised over $16,600 for this public project, and donations are still welcomed.

Notably, four distinguished first-generation immigrant elected officials attended: former San Jose City Councilmember and State Assemblyman Kansen Chu; Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding, the city’s first Asian American mayor; Monterey Park City Councilmember and former mayor Yvonne Yiu, a financial industry veteran who immigrated from Hong Kong at age 15; and Dublin City Councilmember Sherry Hu, the city’s first Chinese American councilmember. These leaders serve as outstanding role models and encourage young Chinese Americans to actively engage in civic affairs and community advocacy.

Former Assemblyman Kansen Chu praised Mayor Ding for restoring the true history of Chinese contributions to Sonoma and expressed hope for continued collaboration between Sonoma City and the AEA to promote historical education.

Yvonne Yiu spoke passionately about the importance of ongoing progress in democracy and support for the AAPI community, recognizing the efforts of AAPI politicians and community groups in fighting discrimination and building a better future.

Sherry Hu emphasized the event’s significance for the entire United States and its role in strengthening US-China friendship. She framed the event with the theme “The Sleeping Lion Awakens,” highlighting the history and struggles of Asian Americans in the country.

Youth representative Valerie Li encouraged young people to learn about the history of Chinese workers in Sonoma not just to honor the past, but also to continue combating anti-Asian hate today. While the community has received a deserved apology, the fight against hate is ongoing.

The event also featured generous donations totaling $16,611.11 from supporters including Ben He, Connie Hee, Steven Wu, Michelle Tam of Jiale Tea Restaurant, Flora Zhu of Miki Bistro, Sharon of Sakura Club, Ken Fang, City Councilmember Sherry Hu, Dr. Xiao-dong Fu, Manna Li, and many others.

Performances included Chinese bamboo flute “The Sun Never Sets on the Grassland” by Li Guangyi and Xu Zhuoming of the San Francisco Alumni Association of Xinghai Conservatory of Music; violin solo by Zhang Chuxuejie, a graduate of San Francisco Conservatory of Music; and a cappella renditions of “Jasmine Flower” and “Hawthorn Tree” by the Stanford Chinese Choir led by Michael Wu and Shi Shang, bringing warmth and vibrancy to the event.

(特約記者葉坤玲Sonoma市報導 )

為慶祝亞裔美國人和太平洋島民 (AAPI) 亞太裔傳統月，酒鄉索諾瑪（Sonoma)市已於5 月 22 日上午在該市市府廣場，舉辦首場「回顧華人先賢在該市偉績」暨建造中國式「涼亭」座落該市公益活動 ，參與者均來自灣區各地民眾及僑胞。當天在主辦方Sonoma市長丁駿輝等政要及協辦方美國企業家聯誼會（AEA）會長何華斌、副會長李曼娜、理事林華中、梁啟恩、黃勁松、劉迪佳、林柏棠、李本裕、Flora 周、餘磊鵬、Coco Jin、Steven Wu等成員努力配合下，又得到眾多熱心人士及義工前來參與，還有多位民選官員前州議員Kansen Chu朱感生伉儷、蒙特利公園市議員、前市長Yvonne Yiu饒影凡、都柏林市市議員Sherry Hu，及索諾瑪市歷史保護聯盟主席 Robert C. Demler Jr. 、索諾瑪市著名歷史學家Jim Silverman等嘉賓撥冗光臨，並即席紛紛發表感言，使這場公益活動收到預期的效果。

活動由AEA青年組的Michelle Tam、Grace Wei、Valerie Li、Michelle Liu主持，首由Sonoma市市長丁駿輝致歡迎詞，歡迎各位蒞臨並致衷心感謝。他指出：150年以前， 索諾瑪市25%都是華工，他們遠渡重洋，為該城市建設付出很多辛酸血淚，但他們並沒有得到公平的待遇，華工的貢獻已被遺忘，我們需要紀念這段歷史。為此，2022年5月18日晚上，市議會通過一份決議案，現公告如下： 索諾瑪市2022年5月定於慶祝美國亞洲及太平洋傳統月，內容包括紀念1843年5月7日第一代日本裔來美；將1869年5月10日為華工紀念日，紀念約二千中國勞工來美；以及紀念亞裔及太平洋島民對美國經濟和社會作出巨大貢獻，在加州建立的32個亞裔非洲群體和77種亞洲語言。對於社會對亞裔和太平洋島民的持續地暴力，2012年美國國會通過正式決議，針對1882 年《排華法案》，對華人的歧視性法律正式道歉。現在，我為此代表向所有在索諾瑪市的亞裔，從前在工作和生活上受到種種不公平的對待，現正式道歉！今天紀念華工、亞裔及太平洋島民，是為他們對加州及美國所作出的巨大貢獻，沒有歷史記載及宣導，表示道歉！我們應該宣揚多種多元文化，共同慶祝美國亞洲及太平洋傳統月。

索諾瑪市歷史保護聯盟主席 Robert C. Demler Jr致詞，詳細講述該市地理環境並歡迎各位前來這美麗的城市居住。他說其曾住過11個國家，但最後我選擇定居在索諾瑪，因為這個城市氣候好並擁有豐富的歷史。

索諾瑪市歷史學家Jim Silverman手執150年前該市的建築架構圖，向當天予會者講述當年華人曾居住在此城市的分佈情況，為了讓後輩永記先賢功德，他表示會在二個月後用中、英文及西班牙文，以圖文方式介紹當年華人奮鬥歷史，介紹舊城市文物考古等資料，現正在緊張進行中，希望各位關注。他並言，該市是加州酒鄉的發源地，更是我們加州的發源地，在150年前早期開發時期，中國勞工除了建造交通要道鐵路以外，還參與挖掘酒窖，種植大量的葡萄樹等，為該城市酒業發展奠下基石。但華工們的辛酸血淚史被遺忘了，連當年華裔勞工的任何資料及墳墓等也沒有歷史記載。所以今天的活動是十分重要，回顧華人貢獻史，今後城市發展規劃等，意義深遠！

AEA企業家聯誼會會長何華斌（Ben He）發表肺腑之言，全場感動。他衷心感謝前來參予的每一位嘉賓及好友，使此場活動能如期舉辦並圓滿成功。何華斌稱，今天我與許多朋友一樣，攜家眷前來參加這場活動，我兒子 Benson 是四年級學生，正好學校在教加州歷史，今天Benson親臨現場，瞭解加州發源地和加州酒鄉發源地，還參觀瓦列霍將軍故居，是一堂最好的實體課，我兒子表示收益匪淺。何華斌並言，感謝丁市長和Demler主席分享了150年前在索諾瑪市華工的生活工作歷史，緬甸先賢為索諾瑪市及加州的發展所付的一切，感謝丁駿輝市長在該市建造中國傳統風格的「涼亭」。為此，日前AEA協會成員已集腋成裘，與今天的到會者為這公益專案籌到善款達一萬六千六百多美元，感恩他們的善舉。希望民眾繼續捐款助這公益善事，多少無拘，可寄支票或在線捐款。同時今天很榮幸邀請了四位非常出色的第一代移民的民選官員參加此活動，分別有任期8年聖荷西市議員、6年州眾議員的朱感生；在華裔人口只有百分之0.4的索諾瑪市成為今年市長丁駿輝；蒙特利公園市議員、前市長Yvonne Yiu饒影凡，她15歲從香港移民美國，是一位有20多年經驗的金融界精英；都柏林市首位美籍華裔市議員Sherry Hu，他們服務社會不遺餘力，都是華人傑出的榜樣，也旨在鼓勵新一代年輕華人要積極參政議政，為華裔社區發音。

民選官員前加州眾議員暨加州私立高等院校諮詢委員朱感生致詞，感謝丁駿輝市長為復原華人歷史真相所作的貢獻，今天是Sonoma市歷史遺產宣傳的開始，也是和AEA美國企業家聯誼會友好合作的開始，希望索諾瑪市未來開展城市歷史宣傳一切順利。

民選官員Yvonne Yiu 饒影凡是蒙特利公園市市議員暨前任市長、加州主計長候選人，她發表熱情洋溢的講話，說其今天受市長丁駿輝之邀，榮幸參與見證這場具歷史意義的活動。回顧從前華工的待遇，證明民主應不斷的進步華人才能提升地位。這其中來自AAPI的政治家，強大的社區群體不斷的努力，希望大家繼續支持AAPI這個群體，讓民主不斷增強，展望更好的明天。

民選官員Dublin City（都柏林市）市議員Sherry Hu致詞，感謝主辦方邀請，榮幸參與這有意義的歷史活動，因為此活動將影響整個美國，推動中美友好關係起著重要作用，今天用「睡獅正在甦醒」為主題，回顧亞裔在美國的生存、發展及奮鬥史很有必要。

年輕學生代表Valerie Li致詞，鼓勵青年瞭解索諾瑪中國工人的歷史，不僅是為了紀念，也是提醒我們華人歷史和過去幾代人所面臨的困難時期，我們要繼續與針對我們亞洲人的仇恨作鬥爭。 今天我們得到了當之無愧的道歉，但對於亞洲仇恨的鬥爭不會止步於此。

當天活動，眾多的善長捐資樂助無數，共籌到16611‧11元，包括有：熱心無名氏、Ben He 何華斌、connie Hee、Steven Wu、

大家樂茶餐廳Michelle Tam、Miki Bistro日本餐 Flora Zhu、屋侖櫻花薈Sharon、Ken Fang 、老北京楊老闆、市議員sherry Hu、符曉東博士、Manna Li等。

是日參加演出的團體有：中國星海音樂學院校友會三藩市分會李廣怡會長帶領許卓明先生表演中國竹笛「草原上升起不落的太陽」等；前在中央音樂學院附中就讀，後來畢業於三藩市音樂學院的張楚雪潔表演小提琴獨奏；史丹佛大學華人清唱團在團長Michael Wu和隊員石尚的帶領下，12名學子清唱「茉莉花」和「山楂樹」，會場熱鬧溫馨。