The Asian Reporter

Pacific Northwest NewsWeekly q Volume 17 Number 18 q Tuesday, May 1, 2007 q www.asianreporter.com Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Jimmy Mirikitani’s 60-year journey Page 10

Connections among cultures CELEBRATING HERITAGE. Audrey Hinatsu of the Fujinami Kai Dance Group performs Ehigasa (the Parasol Dance) for attendees at The Asian Reporter Founda- Page 14 tion’s Ninth Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet. The event, held in advance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, featured cultural entertainment and recognized the efforts and accomplishments of area Asian Americans. See our special Heritage Month section on page 9. Look for our special banquet issue on stands and online on May 15. (AR Photo/John Wong) Wu urges commemorative Rotary offers 2008 Korea study opportunity postage stamp for Hazel Ying Lee Rotary International District 5100 will Congressman David Wu in the spring of 2008 offer a month-long of Oregon has urged the Citizens’ Stamp Group Study Exchange (GSE) based in the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal port cities of Masan and Ulsan, South Amy Tan: Mixing Service to commission a commemorative Korea. The opportunity is open to business memory and fiction stamp in honor of Hazel Ying Lee, a professionals who are U.S. citizens, age 25 Page 15 Portland native and the first Chinese- to 40, and live in District 5100 (northern q American female aviator. Oregon from Salem metro to Baker City, “Hazel Ying Lee embodied an plus southwest Washington). Wang is China’s most unparalleled patriotic spirit and a peerless Participants will meet Koreans working dedication to her dream,” said Wu. “Her in similar occupations, learn how business popular surname commitment to her country at a time when is conducted there, and share information BEIJING (AP) — In a surprise turn- women rarely received adequate as ambassadors of their country and around, the Wangs win. A new study has recognition for their important role in the occupation. Airfare, room, and most meals debunked the notion that Li is China’s war effort reflects her compassion and are paid by Rotary, but each GSE team most popular surname, state media said. humanity. Celebrating her life and member will need a few hundred dollars for A 2006 survey of 296 million people in achievements with a commemorative incidental expenses. The trip will also 1,110 counties and cities by the Chinese postage stamp is a fitting and altogether include tourism and cultural opportu- Academy of Sciences found that Li lead appropriate way to recognize this nities. the ranks of family names, with about 7.4 outstanding American.” Applications must be postmarked by percent of the population sharing the Born in 1912, Lee took flying lessons June 29, 2007. Applicants must be moniker. But a recent analysis of from the Chinese Flying Club of Portland available for interviews in mid-July 2007. household registration data covering to earn her pilot’s license in 1932. At that United States. The GSE will take place March 22 through nearly all of China’s population revealed time less than one percent of pilots in the In 1943 Lee became the first April 21, 2008. that Wang is in fact the most common United States were women. Chinese-American woman to fly for the To download an application, visit and choose “Group News Agency reported. goal of joining the Chinese Air Force. Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a group of Study Exchange.” To learn more, contact It said data released by the Chinese Despite a shortage of pilots, she was female pilots assembled in an effort to Vicki Yates at (503) 656-9792, e-mail Ministry of Public Security showed that denied the opportunity to fly because she sustain the war effort and free up male , Amy Johnson at 92.881 million mainland Chinese are was a woman. Undaunted, she settled in pilots for combat. She was fatally wounded (541) 886-2871, e-mail

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OREGON CONVENTION CENTER 777 NE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BLVD., PORTLAND TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: PORTLAND 2007 May 1, 2007 Asian Pacific American Heritage Issue THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 Royal Rosarian remains strong advocate for Khmer community issues By Maileen Hamto The Asian Reporter

s a teenager watching the Grand AFloral Parade at the Portland Rose Festival, Kilong Ung became infatuated with the idea of someday joining the ranks of the Royal Rosarians, an elite group of men and women who are the official goodwill ambassadors of the City of Portland. At the time Ung, who is now president of the Cambodian-American Community of Oregon (CACO), had been in the United States for only a few years. As a young boy, he survived the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge, and escaped Cambodia to join thousands of refugees in Thailand. Witnessing the pageantry of the Rose Festival parade, he remembers being impressed by the commanding presence of the Royal Rosarians, dressed in flawless REFUGEE TO ROSARIAN. white suits, hats, gloves, and, of course, Pictured at a refugee camp during the summer of 1979 are Kilong Ung the signature red rose. “I told my foster (center, without shoes), Van Mealy Touch (left, Kilong’s brother-in-law), Sivheng Ung (right, Kilong’s sister), and Mike Carroll (in white shirt), a World Vision volunteer. (Photo courtesy of the Ung family) At right is recently parents that when I grow up, I’d like to be knighted Royal Rosarian Kilong Ung on the golf course. (AR Photo/Maileen Hamto) one of those guys. They just looked at me and smiled,” he said. knighted by a Rose Festival Queen chosen armies in 1979, she orchestrated a plan to Ung’s boyhood dream recently became from Cleveland High School? I graduated escape Cambodia with her little brother. reality, as he was inducted into honorary from Cleveland in 1983, Queen Grace Neal Crossing the border to Thailand proved to knighthood as a Royal Rosarian, due to his graduated from Cleveland last year. It is be an arduous and treacherous journey. tireless leadership of CACO and raising even more special that my wife Lisa, who “We did our best to catch fish, eels, frogs, awareness about refugee issues in was by my side during the knighting, also grasshoppers, et cetera, by hand along the Portland. graduated from Cleveland. If that is not highway. Food was scarce because Karin Hansen, the wife of Portland special enough, Mayor Tom Potter, who everyone was scavenging for whatever Mayor Tom Potter, made the necessary was my ceremonial escort, is also a available,” Ung wrote in a draft of his introductions for Ung to be in the running Cleveland alumnus.” memoirs. “We only travelled in daylight. as a Royal Rosarian. He joins an elite Story of survival Morning was the most opportunistic time group of men and women who represent Ung is one of only a handful of Asians to travel because there were more people the best qualities of the City of Roses: who are part of the Royal Rosarians, and out searching for food and other survival harmony, good will, and friendship. his path to success is underscored by a necessities. We would walk all morning on “Cleveland High School has always been special,” Ung said of the knighting history of living in abject poverty, a war-ruined highway and settled in just special to me, but now (in connection with ceremony. “How likely is it that a homelessness, starvation, fear, and off the road in the afternoon. We pretended the Royal Rosarians) it is profoundly Cleveland High School graduate is torture. to be squatters.” He endured the brutal and inhumane Path to success, road to healing conditions in the killing fields of Cambodia Living in the refugee camps in Thailand for several years. Separated from family, wasn’t easy for Ung and his siblings. When he labored around the clock in mines. After they received sponsorship to live in the the Vietnamese drove the Khmer Rouge U.S., Ung quickly had to learn how to be Chuck Eye Steak* out of Cambodia, Ung was reunited with successful in his new home. Following his his elder sister Sivheng. Amid the anarchy arrival to the United States, he worked “Painted Hills” USDA Choice beef, great for grilling. caused by the invasion of the Vietnamese Continued on page 18 $2.99/lb. Short Grain Rice* “Kagayaki” brand, 20 lb. bag. $17.99/each *Items at Beaverton store only. May 2-8, 2007

Compassion. Community. Commitment. The adventure continues! For every Portland police offi cer, K.P.Bath there is a story... Escape from Sgt. Dan Liu Five reasons to join us: “What sets the Portland Castle Cant • Earn $48,714 after fi rst six Police Bureau apart are the months. opportunities. My learning Now in stores • Lots of assignments curve goes sky high each and promotional time I have a new opportunities. assignment, and • Annual clothing or Read my experience is equipment allowance The Asian broadening all • Rewarding career. the time.” • City pays 100% retirement. Reporter online! Join us and write the Visit next chapter. and click on “Online Paper Registration and application deadline for the next entry-level and lateral police offi cer test: June 25, 2007. (PDF)” link to download www.joinportlandpolice.com this week’s issue. Page 18 n THE ASIAN REPORTER Asian Pacific American Heritage Issue May 1, 2007 May is Japanese-film heaven for Portland cineastes Lovers of Japanese cinema will enjoy an two geisha in Kyoto’s red light district who embarrassment of riches in May as differ in their attitudes toward men, but Portland’s Northwest Film Center share a sad fate. (1936, 70 mins.) presents two showcases of films from the n May 11 & 12, 8:30pm (Fri.), 9:30pm trans-Pacific cinematic superpower. (Sat.): The Story of the Last Works by master director Kenji Chrysanthemums. An exploration of Mizoguchi, along with a sampling of films female self-sacrifice set in the world of by contemporary directors, will be shown 19th-century Japanese kabuki theater, at the Northwest Film Center’s Whitsell The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums Auditorium, located in the Portland Art follows a young actor on his own who is Museum at 1219 S.W. Park Avenue. joined by a former servant who offers him “Japanese Currents: New Cinema from unquestioning loyalty and devotion. (1939, Japan” will feature contemporary 115 mins.) Japanese films from 2005 and 2006, as n May 13, 7:00pm: Utamaro and His well as a program of short films and a free Five Women. A fictionalized biography of a public lecture on the anime industry. famous artist, Utamaro is set in the “Mizoguchi Masterpieces” will offer a “floating world” of bars and bordellos in major retrospective of the films of director 17th-century Edo. (1946, 95 mins.) Kenji Mizoguchi, who, in a career ranging n May 17, 7:00pm: Ugetsu. Ranked from the silent era to such late classics as among the greatest films of all time, Ugetsu and Sansho the Bailiff, created one Ugetsu tells the story of an ambitious of the most admired bodies of work in 16th-century village potter who abandons world cinema. ARTIST OF THE FLOATING WORLD. Two showcases of Japanese films – “Mizoguchi Master- his devoted wife for the wealth of the city Schedules for both series follow. To learn pieces” and “Japanese Currents: New Cinema from Japan” – will be shown during the month of May at the and the illicit pleasures of a ghost woman. more, call (503) 221-1156 or visit . Festival Silver Lion. (1953, 96 mins.) “Japanese Currents: Yukio Mishima, Spring Snow tells a story the Tokyo of the 1950s, when the formerly n May 20, 7:00pm: The Life of Oharu. New Cinema from Japan” of doomed love between two children of war-ravaged country was filled with Based on one of Japan’s most revered n May 3, 7:00pm: Paprika. Director noble families who grew up together, but unbounded — and sometimes unfounded novels, The Life of Oharu established Satoshi Kon’s anime film explores a future who are kept apart by an arranged — optimism. (Takashi Yamazaki, 2005, Mizoguchi’s international reputation with world in which a revolutionary psycho- marriage. (Isao Yukisada, 2005, 150 132 mins.) its exquisite composition and therapy device called the “DC-Mini” allows mins.) n May 5, 10:00pm: Yaji and Kita: The breathtaking sequence shots. The story users to cast themselves into the dreams of n May 5, 4:00pm: Ghost in the Shell 2: Midnight Pilgrims. The world’s first gay concerns a beautiful 17th-century Kyoto others. (Satoshi Kon, 2006, 89 mins.) Innocence. The long-awaited sequel to an samurai road-movie musical. ’Nuff said. court lady expelled for dallying with a n May 4, 7:00pm: The Great Yokai War. anime classic, the film offers an (Kankuro Kudo, 2005, 124 mins.) lower-class man (Toshiro Mifune) and An eight-year-old boy finds himself intellectually engaging and esoteric vision n May 6, 7:15pm: Hana. Director gradually reduced to prostitution and leading an epic quest when he is chosen as of a society overrun by technology. Hirokazu Kore-eda (Nobody Knows) begging. (1952, 135 mins.) the next defender of justice and peace, and (Mamoru Oshi, 2005, 99 mins.) creates a tender samurai film set on the n May 24, 7:00pm: Street of Shame. The the previously invisible world of the yokai n May 5, 6:00pm: “So You Think You edges of the historically true tale of the “47 plights and dreams of women working in a (supernatural beings that play tricks on Want to Work in Anime?” Portlander Ronin.” Laid-back samurai Soza is post-World-War-II Tokyo brothel come humans) reveals itself to him. (Takashi Caroline Junko King, who worked in supposed to avenge his father, but he’s under Mizoguchi’s sympathetic scrutiny Miike, 2005, 124 mins.) Japan as an animator and director, offers a much more interested in the beautiful as rumors fly about an impending n May 4, 10:00pm: “Mirrorball: Made in behind-the-scenes look at the world of Osae and would rather seek serenity. anti-prostitution law. (1956, 88 mins.) Japan.” A program of short promotional Japanese animation. (40 mins.) (Hirokazu Kore-eda, 2006, 127 mins.) n May 27, 7:00pm: Sansho the Bailiff. films, music videos, and animation pro- n May5&6,7:15pm (Sat.), 1:00pm “Mizoguchi Masterpieces” Early Japan comes to life in a moving vides a dizzying bento box of experi- (Sun.): Always — Sunset on Third Street. n May 11 & 13, 7:00pm (Fri.), 5:00pm period drama based on a folktale about a mentation and visual creativity. (75 mins.) The winner of 13 out of 14 of Japan’s (Sun.): Sisters of the Gion. Widely provincial governor whose forced exile n May5&6,1:00pm (Sat.), 4:00pm Academy Awards, including Best Film, regarded as the finest Japanese film of the affects his wife and children. (1954, 125 (Sun.): Spring Snow. Based on the novel by Always uses digital wizardry to re-create prewar era, Sisters of the Gion focuses on mins.) Royal Rosarian remains strong advocate for Khmer community issues Continued from page 11 hard to achieve success by earning a solid education at Reed College, securing a sound professional life, while also staying active in civic issues. His work in the local Cambodian community has engaged youth and families in preserving Khmer heritage through various activities. This ROYAL ROSARIAN. Kilong Ung, current president of the Cambo- past weekend, CACO dian-American Community of Oregon, was recently knighted as a Royal volunteers and supporters Rosarian. (Photo courtesy of the Ung family) brought issues of the widespread acknowledge- ment are scheduled to Khmer Rouge Tribunal to ment that the leaders of the prosecute surviving senior the forefront through a Khmer Rouge committed Khmer Rouge leaders two-day forum that crimes against humanity, sometime this year, he included panel discussions there has yet to be an said. by Khmer Rouge genocide international war crimes “No one knows what survivors and scholars of tribunal to hold them effect this may have on the Cambodian history and accountable. As survivors Cambodian population, culture. and escapees, we want to be though community leaders “Almost 2 million people able to tell our stories,” he hope it will bring a sense of died as a result of the said. closure and healing to the atrocities committed by the The United Nations and survivors of the Khmer Khmer Rouge. Despite the Cambodian govern- Rouge regime,” Ung said. Celebrate Earth Day Everyday! 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