By Barry Wong, Esq.
　　Over 300 guests feasted on a traditional multi-course Chinese dinner celebrating the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Arizona’s 75th anniversary at its annual Spring Banquet. This special evening at the Great Wall Restaurant in Phoenix on April 5, 2014 commemorated the Chinese Chamber’s founding by an enterprising group of Chinese immigrants and at the same time acknowledged the successes of their descendants.
Marty Manning, the evening’s master of ceremony and 99.9 KEZ radio personality, led the program like a symphonic conductor. Preceding the formal program, guests enjoyed each other’s company and bidding on silent auction items which included a group dinner at The Capital Grille, jewelry from Burland Jewelry Center, a group wine tasting at Total Wine, stays at Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa and Tempe Mission Palms and a Mane Attraction Salon package.
　　Another 75 Years. ”Our founders had the foresight to start an organization to address issues critical to the business of its grocery store and restaurant owner members,” said Bernard Wu, president of the Chinese Chamber. ”We celebrate their legacy and the leadership of the many past officers and board members who built and sustained the Chinese Chamber; today and for another 75 years the mission continues-advancing Chinese-American businesses.”
　　Dignitaries at this yearly see-and-be-seen event included State Senator Kimberly Yee, Arizona Republican Party Chairman Robert Graham, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Phoenix First Lady Nicole, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his wife Ava, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and his wife Joanne, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery and his wife Becky and candidates for governor: Secretary of State Ken Bennett and Mesa Mayor Scott Smith; also, from the bench Phoenix Chief Presiding Judge Roxanne Song Ong and Paradise Valley Judge Larry King.
　　Chamber History. Rosalind Ong Onodera, daughter of the late Wing F. Ong-a founding member of the Chinese Chamber and former Arizona state senator, talked about the history of the Chinese Chamber. It was founded in 1939 by Ernest Yee Wing Dong, Henry Gong, Ong Hung Yen, Harry Yen, Henry Ong, Sr., George J. Q. Ong and Wing F. Ong. Among the anecdotes she shared was the chamber’s successful opposition to legislation proposed at the request of incumbent and dominant Caucasian-owned grocery stores that would have forced all stores to close on July 4th Independence Day; she said Chinese-American grocers’decision to open every day of the week including during holidays, when Caucasian-owned grocers would close, had enough of a financial impact on its dominant competitors to compel them to attempt to change the laws on when retailer stores may open for business.
　　A video history of the Chinese Chamber, produced by Youmiao Schilt, was played showing a collage of photographs from the early grocers and restaurants including Sing Yee’s American Kitchen ?the first Chinese restaurant in Arizona, Chinese Chamber board member Eddie Yue’s father, Frank Yue, on horseback in front of his grocery-gas station, Frank抯 Cut Rate Store, and former legislator Barry Wong’s grandfather, N.K. Wong, in front of his W and W Market to Dr. Pearl Tang and the late federal Judge
　　Thomas Tang, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, at a Chinese Chamber dinner honoring then-Arizona Governor Raul Castro to modern-day Chinese Chamber ”Doing Business in China” forum at Thunderbird School of Global Management with Ambassador Barbara Barrett. The video provided a tasteful and respectful historical overview of the Chinese as entrepreneurs and leaders in our community .
　　Leaders Celebrating. Community and business leaders helping to celebrate the anniversary were numerous and included community elder John M. Yee; Desert Jade Women抯 Club President Brenda Fung; Asian American Association of Arizona President Maribel Dillard; Phoenix Suns legendary player Alvin Adams; Chinese United Association of Greater Phoenix President David Yee; Arizona Asian American Bar Association Board Member Amanda Chua; United Chinese Association of Arizona President Kevin Wang; Chinese Week President Eva Li; Chinese Restaurant Association of Arizona Vice President Donald Mui and Phoenix Chinese American Citizens Alliance President Elaine Wong.
Also, Jesus Borboa, APS Supplier Diversity Program Manager; Southwest Gas’Garry Walters; Ramon Martinez, Casino Arizona Director of Public Relations; and representatives from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona, Phoenix Aviation and A. L. Moore-Dignity.
　　Scholarships. In addition to the anniversary celebration the Chinese Chamber presented its annual scholarships to deserving high achieving high school students embarking on university studies. Chamber officers Beverly Ong and Wesley Ong led the presentation of Certificates of Scholarship Award and funds to the following recipients: Philip Haslim, Northwest Christian School, parents: Andreas and Hue Haslim; Dustin Ma, Corona del Sol High School, parents: Lam and Evelyn Ma; Lindsay Wong, Desert Mountain High School, parents: Howard and Charlene Wong. With these students, the future is bright.
　　The evening would not be complete without a Chinese cultural performance. Guests were entertained by the internationally acclaimed ”Changing Faces”with origins in Chengdu, China performed by Phoenix-based Zhigang Chen. His instantaneous change of face masks enthralled the audience; each mask depicted a noted figure in Chinese history.
The evening was full of energy and a success by all measures!

Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Arizona annual Spring Banquet and 75th
Anniversary celebration in Phoenix. Gala attendees included Chinese Chamber
officers, board members and advisors; (from left) Barry Wong (advisor),
Rosalind Ong Onodera (advisor), Bernard Wu (president), Joyce Chan (board),
Johnny Wing (board), Beverly Ong (1st vp), Victor Ong (treasurer), Aileen
Fung (vp), Wesley Ong (secretary), Christine Halvorson (board), John Lee
(board), Al Yee (board), Marrina Clendenen (board), Jing Wang (board),
Vanessa Hu (board), Tony Kong (auditor), Youmiao Schilt (video) and Li-Jen
Shen (database).