[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 22]
[Senate]
[Page 29798]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO VIDA CHAN LIN

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Vida Chan Lin. The Las 
Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce recently named Vida Chan Lin as their 
first female president. For many years, Lin has been an advocate for 
Nevada's Asian Pacific Islander American, APIA, community. Her early 
exposure to the complexities of business and the APIA community has 
cultivated the passion and talent necessary for success.
  Vida Chan Lin moved to Las Vegas in 1994 and began developing her 
career as an insurance sales representative. Within a few years, Lin 
pursued her entrepreneurial interests and launched an insurance agency 
named V&J Insurance. The company was committed to providing outstanding 
service and education to Asian and minority communities in Nevada. Vida 
Chan Lin's success continued when she was named vice president after a 
merger between V&J Insurance and Western Risk Insurance.
  Vida Chan Lin's continued involvement and dedication with supporting 
local community and business organizations resulted in a significant 
partnership that benefits families and businesses across Nevada. Lin 
has also advanced local business endeavors through her work with the 
Asian Chamber of Commerce, ACC, and the OCA Las Vegas Chapter. During 
her tenure in ACC, she helped develop annual events such as the Chinese 
New Year Community Achievement Awards Dinner, Bill Endow Golf 
Tournament, and Asian Business Night. Her help with the OCA Las Vegas 
Chapter resulted in two national events to be held in Las Vegas for the 
first time--the OCA National Convention and the National Asian Pacific 
American Corporate Achievement Awards.
  Being a leader in the Asian Pacific Islander American community has 
provided Vida Chan Lin an opportunity to affect younger generations. 
Her positive attitude and passion for APIA issues brought forth an 
inspiration within our youth to provide for their communities. Lin 
promotes and ensures that the voice of APIA youth is heard. She 
continues to dedicate time for students involved in the OCA Las Vegas 
Chapter and ACC by engaging them in entrepreneurial development 
opportunities such as the Clark County Summer Business Institute.
  As she continues to advance her career and charitable interests, Vida 
continues to give great care to her family. Las Vegas is better as a 
place because of dedicated people like Vida Chan Lin. Vida's dynamic 
ambition reminds me of a quote from one of this country's greatest 
Presidents. Teddy Roosevelt once said:

       The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, 
     whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives 
     valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because 
     there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who 
     actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great 
     enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a 
     worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of 
     high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least 
     he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never 
     be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory not 
     defeat.

  Vida is not a timid soul. She strives for success with her family, 
career, and community.
  I know that Vida Chan Lin and the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce 
have a bright and blessed future. I congratulate Vida on being the 
first woman to lead the Asian Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

                          ____________________