FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Announcing the 2016 Asian Hall of Fame Honorees

Seattle, Washington February 18, 2016 On May 14, 2016, the Robert Chinn Foundation will induct four
honorees in the 2016 Asian Hall of Fame at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
The Asian Hall of Fame is a national recognition event for Asian Pacific Americans, celebrating culture and
achievement. The Class of 2016 honorees includes Connie Chung (Television Journalist), Bruce Lee
(Martial Artist, Philosopher, Actor, Writer, Director, and Founder of Jeet Kune Do), Major General Antonio M
Taguba (United States Army, Retired) and Kristi Yamaguchi (Olympic Gold Medalist, Founder Always
Dream Foundation, Childrens Author). Honoree Bruce Lee will be represented by the Bruce Lee Foundation
in his posthumous award.
The Asian Hall of Fame was first held in 2004 with 18 honorees inducted in previous installments.
Comments from the Class of 2016:
On what it means to be honored in the 2015 Asian Hall of Fame:
I am overwhelmed and thrilled to be honored by such a prestigious group. To be recognized by ones own is
the ultimate! Connie Chung
Having my father inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame this year, alongside the other inspirational individuals
Connie, Kristi, and Antonio, is a true honor and one the Bruce Lee Foundation is very grateful for. This award
is recognition that my fathers art, philosophy and the dynamic way he lived his life continues to impact so
many Asian Pacific Americans within the US and beyond. Shannon Lee (Bruce Lee Foundation
Chairperson and Daughter of Bruce Lee)
I feel deeply honoured - a word often used - but it is what I truly feel, along with a strong sense of humility,
about this recognition. To be included with your illustrious list of distinguished people is an acknowledgment
that I accept with gratitude and with a realization that I share this with all who have been a part of my journey.
Kristi Yamaguchi
On why the Asian Hall of Fame is important for Asian Pacific Americans:
We all need to be supportive of one another. This honor speaks to the kind of support that I personally
cherish. I hope that other Asian Pacific Americans will look at the achievements of those being named now
and in the past and will aspire to reach even greater heights. Connie Chung
The Asian Hall of Fame, and institutions like it, not only shine a light on the leaders within the Asian Pacific
American community, they provide a platform for the next generation of Americans from all cultural
backgrounds to discover new role models and barrier breakers; giving our youth the permission to confidently
go out into the world and create positive change. Shannon Lee
The Asian Hall of Fame gives Asian Pacific Americans the opportunity to learn about the remarkable
accomplishments and contributions achieved by APAs in the United States. Those honoured by the Asian
Hall of Fame give inspiration to others to strive toward achieving goals and broadening their dreams. It is a
showcase to show the contributions of a minority population that positively affects not only the APA
community but the nation. That is a remarkable mission and one that sends an important message. Kristi
Yamaguchi

Announcing the 2016 Asian Hall of Fame Honorees

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On the way that their heritage has impacted their lives and achievements:
My Chinese up-bringing shaped every single thought, every action, every path I took. I think like a Chinese
personlive, eat and breath being Chinese. In my mind, I ended up with the right stuff because of my
parents and how they raised me in a traditional Chinese home. As a first generation family, my parents
values and way of living were purely Chinese. Connie Chung
My father believed that a true representation of Chinese culture needed to be shown in the US, and, on top of
that, he believed in living a life of honest self-expression and self-cultivation. Because of these two personal
edicts, he has become synonymous with bridging and transcending the culture gap as well as living a life of
cultivated excellence. Though he at times faced resistance from both sides (from the Chinese martial arts
community for teaching non-Chinese and from Hollywood for being too Chinese to be a bankable commodity)
he saw his mixed ethnicity as an opportunity rather than a limitation and used it to educate others on his
unique points of view. When asked whether he still thought of himself as Chinese or North American after
finding success in Hong Kong, Bruce famously answered You know what I like to think of myself? As a
human being. He then goes on to say, Under the sky, under the heavens there is but one family. It just so
happens that people are different. My fathers heritage leaves a lasting impact then and now as a symbol to
all people of what one can accomplish with a clear vision, a directed will, a steadfast sense of self, hard work
and a dream. Shannon Lee
My familys heritage emanated from my late parents, Tomas and Maria Taguba. My dad was in the US Army
during WWII in the Philippines. He was a former Japanese prisoner of war and later retired from the
Army. My mother was in a prisoner of war camp during the war. My family immigrated to the United States in
July 1961. It was a challenging experience for us. I wanted to served my country, but my experience was
fraught with discrimination along the way. My parents worked extremely hard for us to earn an American
citizenship. I decided to get ahead for the sake of my parents, my siblings, and my own family. My promotion
to Major General (2-stars) in the U.S. Army took many years to achieve. But it was worth the challenge, and
it opened doors wider for other Asian American and Pacific Islanders to succeed higher than they expected.
Major General Antonio M Taguba
The Asian work ethic is a connecting link through generations. For me, personally, the Japanese
characteristics of working hard, not complaining, being modest and respecting your mentors were ingrained in
me through the role models set by my grandparents and continuing through my parents. These Japanese
traits were major factors in my achievements but, most importantly, in guiding me to use the opportunities
provided into helping others through my Always Dream Foundation. Kristi Yamaguchi

The Robert Chinn Foundation is a 501(c)3 community organization created in the memory of Robert Chinn,
who founded the first Asian-owned back in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact:
Melissa Forziat
melissa.forziat@outlook.com
206.351.9910
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