[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E57-E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF TYRUS WONG

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. TED LIEU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 12, 2017

  Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life of Tyrus Wong--father, artist, and an inspirational American--
who passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016.
  Tyrus was born as Wong Gen Yeo on October 25, 1910 in Guangdong 
Province, China. A decade later, he and his father came to the United 
States in search of a better economic future. Forced to travel under 
the false identity Look Tai Yow, Tyrus and his father were able to 
overcome the obstacles of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 through 
luck and perseverance. They began in San Francisco, were separated 
shortly, but reunited and moved to Sacramento where his teacher 
Americanized ``Tai Yow'' to ``Tyrus''.
  They eventually arrived in Los Angeles, where his father taught him 
art and trained him in calligraphy. While in junior high, Tyrus's 
drawing talent was recognized by a teacher who helped him receive a 
summer scholarship to the Otis Art Institute (located in my district) 
in Los Angeles. He found his calling and studied there for five years 
while working as a janitor before graduating in the 1930s.
  Among friends, Tyrus founded the Oriental Artists' Group of Los 
Angeles to provide an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work, 
which was unparalleled exposure for Asian artists during that time. 
This group was dispersed, however, during World War II.
  Before joining Disney in 1938, Tyrus was an artist for the Works 
Progress Administration from 1936 to 1938. Tyrus's moment came in the 
late 1930s when Disney started working on the now famous movie Bambi. 
Inspired by the landscape paintings of the Song Dynasty, he painted the 
masterpiece that Bambi became. While he was unofficially promoted to 
the rank of inspirational sketch artist, he contributed much more and 
influenced the movie from all aspects.
  In 1941, Disney fired Tyrus after the employees' strike. From 1942, 
Tyrus was employed at Warner Brothers before he retired in 1968. In 
retirement, Tyrus continued to create art and was famous for building 
beautiful kites. He also created cards for Hallmark and painted Asian-
inspired designs on dinnerware. As a testament to Tyrus's impressive 
work, Disney honored him in 2001 with the prestigious Disney Legend.
  Tyrus is survived by his three daughters, Kay Fong, Tai-Ling Wong, 
and Kim Wong and two grandchildren. I hope his family can rest knowing 
his story is an inspiration for all Americans. I ask that my colleagues 
join me in recognizing Tyrus Wong's incredible and resilient life.

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