[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. TONY Q. CHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MELANIE A. STANSBURY

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2022

  Ms. STANSBURY. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Tony Q. Chan's 
incredible contributions to our beloved New Mexico community. This 
Saturday, July 17th, Dr. Chan and his family will celebrate his 90th 
birthday. Over the more than 60 years that he has called New Mexico his 
home, Dr. Chan spent 40 of those years operating his optometry practice 
with an unmatched commitment to his patients and our community.
  Dr. Chan was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Mississippi, where 
he met his beautiful wife, Carolyn. After attending the Illinois 
College of Optometry, where he earned his BS and Doctor of Optometry, 
he headed out west. Dr. Chan first moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 
1959 when he broke barriers to become our state's first Asian American 
optometrist.
  Dr. Chan did not stop there. In addition to opening his first 
practice, he eventually became President of the Heights Lion's Club, 
the Executive Association of Greater Albuquerque, and the New Mexico 
Optometric Association. He was also the first Asian American Trustee 
for the American Optometric Association. During his time at the 
American Optometrist Association, he served on the Minority Recruitment 
Committee, where he helped recruit women and minorities to become 
optometrists.
  Throughout his life, Dr. Chan received a variety of accolades from 
organizations across the United States, including the Spirit of America 
Award from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, the Alumnus of the 
Year award from the Illinois College of Optometry, and he was inducted 
into the National Optometry Hall of Fame in 2020.
  Happy Birthday to Dr. Chan. I thank him for his lifelong service 
caring for the health and well-being of the people of New Mexico. His 
love of community shines through everything he does, and I am honored 
to serve Dr. Chan in Congress and celebrate 90 years of his 
achievements.

                          ____________________