On October 15, New York State Senator Kevin Lu visited the Chung Cheng Association to discuss her credentials and highlight her strengths in advocating for the Chinese community. The association expressed its support for her re-election campaign and encouraged members to vote actively.
Senator Lu shared that she is the daughter of a Hakka mother and the only state legislator who speaks Chinese as her first language. Having risen from being an international student and a reporter for a Chinese community newspaper, she understands the needs and demands of new Chinese immigrants. She emphasized her ability to effectively advocate for the community’s rights. For instance, she recalled how, in 2017, the Department of Education’s reforms to specialized high schools greatly contradicted the values of the Chinese community and harmed the interests of Chinese families. As a legislative aide and member of the school board at that time, she utilized her resources to push for a resolution aimed at protecting specialized high schools.
Lu pointed out that, like other marginalized groups, the Chinese immigrant community grapples with issues such as gambling, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and economic and mental health challenges. She articulated that representatives from these communities who lack similar immigrant experiences might find it difficult to truly understand these struggles. While she acknowledged that mainstream American society is increasingly aware of the circumstances faced by Asian Americans, she stressed the importance of having the right person address these issues to “enhance our visibility.”
Her philosophy focuses on preventing harm to Asian and Chinese communities rather than merely responding after the fact. She believes that the goal of amplifying the voices of Chinese Americans is not only to help them enter the mainstream but to become part of it, ensuring that they stand on an equal footing with what is considered the “mainstream.”
Chairman He Weiwen of the Chung Cheng Association expressed pride in Senator Lu’s candidacy, noting that her identity as a Hakka daughter has unified several Hakka community organizations in New York in support of her re-election. He urged members to engage actively in voting as a way to fulfill their democratic rights and responsibilities. Among the representatives present were notable figures such as He Shiyang, Yuan Tong, Su Huan Guang from the Lian Cheng Association, Wen Zongpeng from the Dong An Association, and many others from various organizations.
