[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING MRS. MAY TO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Ms. CHU. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great loss to our 
community, Mrs. May To, who passed way on May 8, 2010, at the young age 
of 60. My heart goes out to her husband, Alex To; her sons, Jonathan 
and Brian To; and the rest of her family, friends and loved ones.
  Mrs. To was an extraordinary citizen, an activist for immigrant 
children, youth and families in the San Gabriel Valley for more than a 
quarter century. Her volunteerism and service spanned several 
organizations including the Chinatown Service Center, Alhambra School 
District and the International Institute of Los Angeles.
  Born in Canton, China in 1950, May grew up in Hong Kong, where she 
completed her bachelor's degree in sociology from the Chinese 
University of Hong Kong in 1975. She came to the United States on an 
exchange scholarship to study at UCLA in 1977 and received her master's 
degree in education in two years.
  She spent the late 1970s and early 80s helping her fellow immigrants 
to make the most of the opportunities provided by her adopted country, 
teaching ESL courses to fifth-graders and serving as assistant director 
of The Chinatown Service Center, where she oversaw refugee employment, 
social service and youth programs among others.
  In 1984, May worked with the Asian Task Force of the United Way to 
create the Asian Youth Center, which was meant to fill a gap in 
critical services for immigrant children, youth and families in the San 
Gabriel Valley. In 1984, she became the Center's Executive Director.
  Since then and under her leadership, Asian Youth Center has grown 
from a three-person project to a large, community-based organization 
with a budget of over $1.7 million and a 57-person staff, serving more 
than 8,500 Asian and non-Asian children, youth and families.
  May's tireless efforts have helped shape the Asian American, Latino 
American, and other immigrant communities residing in the San Gabriel 
Valley. Her commitment to improving access to health services, social 
services, and youth development opportunities for immigrants have 
improved the lives of countless children, youth and families over the 
last 20 years.
  I urge my House colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. May To for her 
stellar record of personal, professional and civic leadership, her 
indomitable spirit and her remarkable service and contributions to her 
community and to our nation.

                          ____________________