OCAC Minister Tung Chen-Yuan presented OCAC Senior Adviser Mabel Chi Chan with the Mt. Jade Professional Medal Award on June 30, in New York, as a recognition of her long term contribution to overseas community affairs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over 30 guests attended the grand awarding ceremony, including Ambassador James K. J. Lee and Director of Division Huang of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York, Director Chen and Deputy Director Lin of Culture Center of TECO in New York, General Counselor Wu for all Branches of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Associations in the Americas and his wife, Chairman Tsang of the New York Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA), and 7 overseas community representatives under the New York CCBA.
Minister Tung Chen-Yuan stated that Mabel Chi Chan immigrated to Philadelphia with her family at the age of 18, and she started out in business as a Chinese take-out restaurant, then jointly established the “Joy Tsin Lau” restaurant with her parents which became a great success and well-known in the area. The success of the restaurant influenced and facilitated economic prosperity in the Philadelphia Chinatown community and can be regarded as a success model for hardworking Chinese immigrants. Having achieved a successful business career, Mabel Chi Chan dedicated herself actively to serving the community. In 2006, she became President of the Hip Sing Association (HAS), the first female President ever on the US East Coast; in 2007, she was appointed Chairman of the Philadelphia CCBA, and initiated American Independence Day Parade Celebration in Chinatown, integrating Chinese immigrants into American mainstream society.
Minister Tung Chen-Yuan praised Mabel Chi Chan for consolidating the overseas compatriot communities, integrating them into the US mainstream society, involving herself actively in philanthropy, and sparing no effort to fight for the rights and interests of the overseas community. She has been awarded and praised repeatedly by elected officials in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia and is a model for the whole overseas immigrant community.
