OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
November 1, 2016
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Alderman Solis, a congratulatory resolution concerning Bernarda Lo Wong and Esther Wong.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Bernarda "Bernie" Lo Wong is a founder and the President of the Chinese American Service League (CASL), and Esther Wong is its Executive Director. CASL is the largest, most comprehensive social service agency in the Midwest dedicated to serving the needs of Chinese Americans; and
WHEREAS, Bernie was born and raised in Hong Kong. At eighteen, she moved to Sioux City, Iowa to earn a BA. in Sociology from Briar Cliff University and later a Master's Degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Esther, who is fluent in English and Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and Taishanese), holds a B.A. from the University of Hong Kong and a MA. from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, Bernie, Esther and their friends began building CASL in an effort to help new immigrants overcome the challenges of a new culture and language; and
WHEREAS, Under Bernie's leadership, CASL has grown from a one-person shop in 1979 with an annual budget of $32,000 to a $13.5 million agency, providing child services, elder services, employment training services, family counseling, and housing and financial education to over 17,000 clients of all ages and backgrounds each year; and
WHEREAS, Bernie is an active community member and Chair of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Asian Affairs. She was the first Asian appointed to the Board of Directors of United Way of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library. She also ...
Click here for full text