[中文版本]
On October 13th, JRC junior reporters attended the "Gold Lantern Awards". There, we met outstanding Chinese Americans, including community leaders and other well-known figures. Not only did we interview award recipients, but by representing junior reporters and attending the event, we were also interviewed by other journalists. It was a memorable and meaningful experience.
The "Gold Lantern Awards: Night of Inspirational Brilliance," aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions by Chinese-Americans, took place in the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., in 2023. Figures from Chinese communities in politics, business, technology, arts, education, and more gathered at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
President Biden sent a congratulatory message to the awards ceremony, applauding the outstanding awardees and expressing gratitude for the remarkable contributions of the Chinese-American community to American society. He acknowledged that the spirit of the Chinese diaspora is an inseparable part of the American spirit, of which he is proud and grateful. Congratulations also came from the Mayor of Washington D.C., among others.
The "Gold Lantern Awards" were established in 2021 and are organized by the Washington D.C. Chinese American Museum. The award aims to recognize outstanding achievements, leadership, and significant contributions to the Chinese-American community and American society as a whole. Jenny Liu, Deputy Director of the Washington D.C. Chinese American Museum, said, "The lantern is a symbol of Chinese culture. The gold lantern symbolizes not only the outstanding achievements of the Chinese community but also the contributions they have made to the community and American society."
Chinese-American author Tang Tingting, TV host Jin Yuxi, forensic scientist and criminal forensic expert Li Changyu received the "Gold Lantern Lifetime Achievement Award." Bel Leong-Hong, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and advocate for Asian American communities; community leaders Larry La, Paul Li, Stephany Yu, among others, received the "Community Service Award"; and student hero Peter Wang received the "Youth Leadership Award."
The hosts shared inspiring stories behind the awardees and featured captivating artistic performances. Guests at the event listened attentively to the deeply moving stories and enjoyed culturally rich performances with Chinese characteristics. The event was not only a celebration of Chinese-American achievements but also a recognition of the contributions of the entire Chinese-American community to American society.
After the awards ceremony, the Washington D.C. Chinese American Museum prepared exquisite "Gold Lantern" souvenirs for each attending guest, allowing the light of the gold lantern to shine into the hearts of everyone present.
