[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF LINA FAT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AMI BERA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 7, 2020

  Mr. BERA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of Lina 
Fat.
   Born in Hong Kong, Lina moved to the United States to attend college 
in Tennessee. She eventually graduated from the University of 
California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy. She married Ken Fat in 
1940 and worked as a pharmacist.
   Lina then made a career change and studied at the Culinary Institute 
of America, Le Cordon Bleu, and the Dickson Culinary School. In 1974, 
the Fat Family opened China Camp in Old Sacramento, which celebrated 
the Chinese connection to the Gold Rush. It was Lina's idea to base the 
menu on grilled meats and she became the chef of China Camp. 
Eventually, she became the Fat Family Restaurant Group's executive 
corporate chef and later the vice president of culinary research and 
development.
   In 2000, Lina was named businesswoman of the year by the Sacramento 
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. In 2007 she launched the Sacramento 
World Music and Dance Festival. Lina and her family also were generous 
supporters of the Asian American community and other civic efforts.
   I am pleased that the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce 
will honor Lina's legacy by renaming its ``Small Business of the Year 
Award'' to the ``Fat Family Legacy Award.''
   Madam Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in remembering 
Lina's life and her contributions to our community in Sacramento.

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