By Rich Yueh
Scanews Editor
The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) St. Louis Chapter held a banquet on December 15th at the Mandarin House Chinese Restaurant. At the banquet, the 2002 board of directors was unveiled by Jimmy Chu, current OCA St. Louis President, and keynote speaker Jim Talent gave a short speech on the economy and politics after the terrorist attacks on September 11. Three awards were presented at the banquet: the Youth Leadership Award, the Community Service award, and a Humanitarian Award. They were awarded to Grace Wang, Dr. Ching Ling Tai, and the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), respectively. 
Matthew
Yu (L) and Jimmy Chu
The 2002 President of the OCA St. Louis Chapter is Matthew Yu. Mr. Yu served as Executive Vice President of OCA St. Louis in 2001 and was Vice President of Administration in 2000. His vision for the OCA in 2002 is to develop leaders in our community and focus on Leadership Education and Business Development. Matthew is currently employed by Tyco-Mallinckrodt as the IT manager for North American Manufacturing Applications. He is married and has two daughters. 
Representatives from the Overland Police and Fire Departments, from left to right: Fire Marshal Don Rohlfing, Chief of Police James E. Herron, Corporal David Pauluhn, and Captain Geoff Fish.
To show respect for the police and firefighters that help our community everyday, OCA St. Louis honorably invited members of the Overland Police Department and Fire Protection District. The representatives who attended were Chief of Police James E. Herron and Corporal David Pauluhn from the Police Department and Captain Geoff Fish and Fire Marshal Dan Rohlfing from the Fire Protection District. 
 
Jim Talent speaks with 2001 OCA St. Louis President Jimmy Chu
Jim Talent, a member of the Missouri House of Representatives for eight years, shared with the audience his thoughts and comments on the important issue of military politics. "We're leading a group of nations to wipe out and exterminate terrorism from the face of the earth", said Talent. He also gave a fresh look at the power of the United States, and how it has been challenged and probed, most recently during the September 11th attack. But we have struck back, and we shall not stop until we prevail. Talent ends his speech with the following quote: "America is like a giant boiler. Once it begins to heat, there's no stopping it." 
 
Grace
Wang
Dr. Ching Ling Tai
One goal of the OCA is to promote and recognize outstanding leaders. Three prestigious awards were presented to well-deserving people who have been just that. The first award is the Youth Leadership Award, endowed by Dr. and Mrs. William Tao in 1998. It encourages teenagers to take an active leadership role in and out of school. This year's recipient, Grace Wang, is a senior at Parkway Central High School. Grace has earned many awards, including the Harvard Book Award, Frederic Chopin Piano Award, and the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award, and participates in activities such as Model UN, St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, and practicing the piano, violin, and viola.
Dr. Ching Ling Tai received the Community Service Award. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Chinese Culture Association, VP of the American Forum, VP of the St. Louis/Nanjing Sister City Committee, Board Director of the Chinese Culture and Educating Foundation and a member of the Multi-Culture Committee of Fair Saint Louis. She has also served on boards including the St. Louis International Film Festival and the International Folk Fest. Governor Holden appointed her the Commissioner of the Missouri Community Service Commission in May of 2001.  
The Humanitarian Award was presented to the NCCJ and accepted by Dr. Martin J.
Rafran. For 75 years the organization has worked in 65 regions across the nation to build a more inclusive community in which we can all live, work, and play together in peace and with appreciation of each other's differences. OCA St. Louis and the NCCJ share the common goal of fighting bias, bigotry, and racism.  
Jerry Stricker, DBA and GFS
Services
Master Card International
The OCA St. Louis gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship of MasterCard International, William and Anne Tao, Sherwin and Linda Liou, Mandarin House Restaurant, Ken Yeung, Jerry Stricker DBA and GFS Services, the New Shanghai Circus, and Autotire Car Care Centers.
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