Community Leaders Attend Kimberly Yee Fundraiser Event Celebrates American Dream

Phoenix, AZ — Asian American community leaders attended a fundraiser dinner in support of Senator Kimberly Yee’s re-election campaign for the Arizona Senate on October 21, 2014. The event was held at the Great Wall Restaurant and featured a patriotic-themed program.

The evening event opened with a presentation of the colors by the American Legion Thomas Tang Post 50, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Jack J.F. Yee, father of Senator Kimberly Yee, and the singing of the National Anthem by Beverly Wu.
Guests then participated in the singing of patriotic songs led by Jack J.F. Yee who served as the master of ceremonies. He shared his thoughts of how proud he was to have been born in America. He emphasized that the United States is an exceptional country which offers the best opportunities for success, that with a strong work ethic and excellence in education, any person can realize the American Dream.

The opening speaker was Arizona State Republican Party Chairman Robert S. Graham who acknowledged Senator Yee as a ”rising star” of the Republican Party. He said that when they were in Washington, D.C. earlier in the year, Yee was recognized nationally for her work, and GOP party officials announced that she is someone who will continue to play a major role in shaping the party’s future.

Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies and a law degree from the University of Arizona, was the keynote speaker and spoke of Senator Yee’s experience in many policy areas and emphasized her passion for education policy issues. He addressed the importance of making an impact in our own communities.

Senator Yee closed the evening’s formal program by thanking the guests and sharing her family’s history in America, the land fondly referred to as ”Gold Mountain.”
She shared about one of the most important lessons she was taught by her parents. She said, ”I was taught to appreciate your family’s history, your heritage and your culture so that you can be confident in who you are in order to boldly pursue every opportunity that comes your way. We can be stronger when we stand on the shoulders of those who preceded us.”

”I hope to return to the State Senate and continue to work for the people of my district and represent not only the community where I live, but also the Asian American community. I am committed to keeping our families safe, creating more jobs and strengthening education to provide opportunities for every family,” Yee said.