ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS IN THE NEWS
MARCH 13, 2023
When California State Assemblyman Evan Low throws his annual Lunar New Year luncheon, everyone who is lucky enough to be invited knows it will be the place to be that day in Silicon Valley. This year was no exception for over 600 of his friends, family, supporters and constituents were there to herald in the Chinese New Year, albeit a bit late for the actual January 22nd ear of the Rabbit holiday. When MC Carl Guardino was at the dais acknowledging all the political powerfuls in the audience that day, the list was endless. His associates in Sacramento all came, whether they represented a Santa Clara Valley area or not, showing the popularity of Evan, once the younger member of the Assembly. Long lines of guests trying to enter the Grand Dynasty Restaurant to join Evan’s lunch, waited patiently watching the Lion Dancers welcome the guests both outside and inside the Grand Dynasty restaurant of West San Jose. A panel of political honchos acclaimed their support and delight at being at Evan’s traditional Chinese New Year lunch, citing this was a wonderful way to start the new year and reconnecting with old and new friends.
CA ASSEMBLYMAN EVAN LOW GREETS GUESTS FROM THE CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT
As I said before, when California Assemblyman Evan Low throws a lunar new year party at the Grant Dynasty restaurant in Cupertino, everyone who is anyone comes to celebrate with him including notable congresswoman Anna Eshoo and Zoe , and our local women politicos Fiona Ma and Margaret Koga Abe .There were many elected officials in the audience but most exciting for the women was seeing handsome Kevin Kreider of the TV show Bling Empire on stage sharing his alcohol free drink Sans with the packed room of over 600 party goers. This handsome young man who stars in this reality show about young Asian Americans living the high life in Beverly Hills spoke of his long time friendship with Evan, and how, after too long of a time in the movie town of Hollywood, he is proud to be a member of an industry which is finally spotlighting the almost all Asian cast movie, which has won many top awards this year. He said he hoped those in the audience who tried his canned drink Sans liked it as a 0% alcohol drink, for which he, as a recovering alcoholic, chose to bring out to the public
LOW GREETS GUEST TV ‘S BLING EMPIRE ACTOR KEVIN KREIDER & DDTV DIANA DING AND KREIDER GIFTS GUESTS WITH HIS COMPANY SANS 0% ALCOHOL DRINK
Proud moment for my fellow CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT directors and Chi Am Circle sisters was presenting a framed painting to Evan signifying he is our favorite powerful tiger in our eyes. As Evan often tells it, he has grown up from toddler days of being a part of CHCP activities, as his father once served as CHCP Board president and so he was always tagging along while the museum was being built and the museum established. He forever calls the ladies of the 55 year old Chi Am Circle the powerball Asian Women Warriors of Santa Clara Valley.
CHI AM CIRCLE FRIENDS GIFT PAINTING WHILE IN PERSON ARTIST PAINTS PORTRAIT OF NORMAN MINETA AND A DRAGON IN FRONT OF AUDIENCE
Highlight of the event of course was listening to what Evan had to say about combatting the seriousness of Anti Asian hate environment hitting California and elsewhere now. He introduced Mt. View Councilwoman Margaret Koga Abe who announced her candidacy for Santa Clara County Supervisor. His own plans include facing a re-election in the near future and who knows what else in the long run. Evan is to be commended for trying to go around and speak to all the 600 individuals who came out to support his causes. A spotlight on art was shown when a person with 6 minutes on stage was able to paint on a large canvas before our very eyes, a large dragon. After hearing oohs and aahs on this last piece of art, the in person artist then produced a very good resemblance of former Labor Secretary, and once Mayor of San Jose, Norman Mineta, which will be hung at the San Jose International NORMAN MINETA AIRPORT in San Jose.
EVAN LOW’S WOMEN SUPPORTERS INCLUDED CONGRESSWOMAN ZOE LOGREN AND ANNA ESHOO, AND CA ASSEMBLYWOMAN FIONA MA
Why is Evan Low so popular Number one is that he is very personable, recognizes the importance of serving his community, and has always been a knowledgeable about the importance of maintaining his Chinese culture, and sharing his proud history of Chinese Americans to the public audiences he addresses. He was instrumental in the latest legislation of proclaiming Chinese New Year as a state mandated holiday, thus giving state employees a paid holiday to celebrate with traditional family celebrations You, Evan Low, are a well-respected leader in our community, and we thank you for your contributions to the state, and especially as a well informed and recognizable leader for Asian Americans.
YOSH UCHIDA HONORED AT HIS 103RD BIRTHDAY LEGACY GALA
In March 2020, when honored Judo Coach, businessman and philanthropist YOCHIHIRO UCHIDA was to celebrate his 100th birthday at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose, the whole country closed down due to the covid virus pandemic, and thus, his celebration was cancelled. Now three years later, Yosh, soon to be 103 on April 1, is still thriving and eager to celebrate, which he laughingly says the poor Fairmont Hotel is not. After declaring bankruptcy, the hotel is now named Signia by Hilton, and that is where his Uchida Legacy Gala was held this weekend. Over 600 of Uchida’s fans, friends and family, turned out to herald this young man, who is well known as Coach Uchida by decades of San Jose State Judo students whom he coached while bringing this sport to the attention of America as a sport to be enjoyed by all. Growing up in a farming community, his immigrant parents wanted their three sons to retain some of their Japanese culture, so enrolled them in judo classes. Later as a SJSC student, he was asked to coach judo students.
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YOSHIHIRO UCHIDA IS HERALDED BY FRIENDS AND HIS DAUGHTERS LYDIA UCHIDA-SAKAI AND AILEEN UCHIDA AT EVENT
Although his parents were sent to Internment camp following the Executive order 9066 where all citizens of Japanese descent were interned to camps away from the West Coast, Yosh was drafted into the US Army during World War II. Upon his return to San Jose he returned to study at San Jose State College , graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences in 1947. Returning to coaching, throughout his life he worked tirelessly to establish judo as a nationally recognized sport in collegiate circles, and eventually as a recognized sport with the International Olympic Committee. Yosh Uchida should be lauded as the first Olympic Judo coach for the US judo team in 1964 at the Tokyo Games. Today, following his century of being a leader in the Japanese American circles, he is recognized additionally for his success in establishing the largest privately held medical reference laboratory in Northern California. In a televised interview made in 2020 with NBC reporter Robert Handa, he recalled how he was unable to find a job nor satisfactory housing upon his college graduation through discrimination against being Japanese. He admits times have changed now, but hopes that future generations will continue to keep that work ethic Japanese American pioneers maintained to earn respect and admiration among their American peers.
UCHIDA IS CONGRATULATED BY SAN JOSE MAYOR MATT MAHON. YOSH PARTICIPATES IN TRADITIONAL SAKE POUNDING CEREMONY AS TAIKO DRUMMERS PERFORM
At the Uchida celebration, guests enjoyed traditional Japanese entertainment by the San Jose TaikoPeace drummers led by San Jose Taiko founders Roy & PJ Hirabayashi as well as modern American popular jazz music by the Steve Nakano Quintet.
GUESTS AT UCHIDA LEGACY GALA WELCOME THE RENOWNED SAN JOSE JAPANTOWN LEADER BACK TO CELEBRATE HIS 103RD BIRTHDAY.
Toasts were made to the honorable Uchida by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Consul-General of Japan in San Francisco Mr. Yasushi Noguchi. His daughters Lydia Uchida-Sakai and Aileen Uchida recalled growing up with their hard working father, and a taped TV interview of Uchida in 2020 was shown. Old friend former US Congressman Mike Honda spoke about his mentor and old friend, Yosh Uchida, who encouraged him to enter the political arena, citing there was too little representation of Japanese Americans in government positions at that time. He cited many who followed Uchida’s guidance and advice, including once US Labor Secretary Norman Mineta, among many others who were influenced to fight for political positions to represent Asian Americans. Judo champ alumni who learned under Coach Yosh spoke glowingly with heartfelt thoughts about their experiences under him, including Marti Malloy, Mark Swain, Kosuke Tanaka and Keith Nakasone.
Former San Jose Mayor, the Honorable Sam Liccardo led all the well wishers in a final sake toast to conclude the celebration with everyone giving standing ovation to their true hero, Yosh Uchida.
