[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 29, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E74]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING LONG-TIME COMMUNITY LEADER

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2013

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great loss to our 
community, Mr. Wilbur Kuotung Woo, who passed away on November 12, 2012 
at the age of 96. My heart goes out to his wife of 74 years, Beth; his 
five children; his six grandchildren; his seven great-grandchildren; 
and the rest of his family and friends.
  I had the great pleasure of knowing Mr. Woo. He was an extraordinary 
citizen, a role model for community activism and a tireless advocate 
for the Chinese American community.
  Mr. Woo's life stands as a living testament to the American Dream. He 
was born in China in 1915 and immigrated to the United States at age 5. 
He went on to study at UCLA and graduated with a degree in business 
administration. Mr. Woo then went to work at his family's business, the 
Chungking Produce Company, where he would often begin work around 
midnight in order to prepare for a full day at the produce market.
  In 1962, Mr. Woo became Vice President of Cathay Bank during a time 
when many local banks refused to lend to Chinese Americans. Thanks in 
part to his leadership and incredible business acumen, Cathay Bank 
would go on to become one of the largest independent financial 
institutions in Los Angeles County.
  Mr. Woo also served his community as chairman of the board at The 
Chinese Times, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and founder 
of the California-Taiwan Trade & Investment Council.
  Mr. Woo was known as a bridge between the halls of power in 
Washington, DC and the underserved Chinese American community. As 
President of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, he lobbied for a 
shift in U.S. immigration policy and met with Senators Hiram Fong and 
Edward Kennedy. Woo would see his dream accomplished in 1965, when the 
United States finally lifted legal barriers limiting immigration from 
China and Taiwan. This historic act would open the doors for a new wave 
of immigrants and greatly contribute to our nation's cultural fabric.
  I urge all my House colleagues to join me in honoring our community 
hero, Mr. Wilbur K. Woo, for his remarkable service, indomitable spirit 
and contributions to his community and to our nation.

                          ____________________