China Overseas Chinese Network, June 22. According to the American "Chicago Chinese Tribune" newspaper, "Our history, our culture, our voice" is the theme of the fundraising dinner held by the Chinese American Museum in Chicago.

More than 200 representatives from mainstream American and Chinese communities, including Illinois Chinese-American Representative Ma Jingyi, District 11 District Chief Li Huihua, and District 25 District Chief Lu Hanshi, were invited to attend.

This is the first time in nearly three years that the annual fundraiser has been re-hosted since it was suspended due to the pandemic.

　　At the June 18 fundraiser, attendees praised the museum's many contributions to promoting Chinese-American history, culture, and expressing Chinese-American voices.

The museum officially opened to the public in May 2005, and has held several exhibitions and lectures for more than ten years, including "The Great Wall to the Great Lakes", "My Chinatown", and "Chinese Workers Build Railways and Railways to Build America".

　　During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum faced enormous challenges, but the staff and volunteers rose to the challenge and forged ahead.

The museum's director, Liu Zhenbin, said the museum is a small museum, but they have a big wish to promote appreciation of Chinese-American culture in the United States through exhibitions, education and research.

During the closing period, they put the exhibit online to attract the public.

They have also created a number of virtual events or programs, and the average annual number of virtual and in-person events held over the past three years has exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels.

　　Zheng Weilue, chairman of the board of directors of the Chinese American Museum, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all sponsors and supporters.

　　At the dinner, medals were also presented to Illinois Senator Ram Willivam and Illinois Representative Jennifer Gongshowitz.

Thanks to the initiative and active promotion of these two congressmen, the Asian American History Equality Education Act was passed and implemented, becoming the first in American history.

(David Zhang)