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, Children’s 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 one’s 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 father’s 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

Page Two

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

person…live, 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 father’s 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 family’s 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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