www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_9228274 -
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Published on: 5/11/2008
Last Visited: 5/12/2008
var requestedWidth = 0; > if(requestedWidth Eddie Wong is the new executive director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation . if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } The newly named executive director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation has a direct connection to the site: His father passed through the Marin County installation.
Eddie Wong takes over the effort to convert the immigration station - often called the Ellis Island of the West - to a place where visitors can learn about the history of immigration to the western United States.
"I'm delighted to be the new executive director, particularly since my own father passed through the immigration station as an immigrant to the United States in 1928," said Wong, 57."The preservation and restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station will allow the site to take its rightful place as one of America's most important historic landmarks."
The barracks are undergoing a $15 million restoration and there are plans to reopen them to the public in the spring of 2009, complete with interpretive exhibits.
"I want to work with our board to focus on the public awareness of the station," said Wong, who lives in Oakland.
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Wong previously served as a media and social justice investment consultant to the Democracy Alliance, a network of progressive donors.He was also the executive director of the National Asian American Telecommunications Association from 1996 to 2006.Prior to that, he worked as the western regional director of the National Rainbow Coalition.
Kathy Lim Ko, the foundation board president, said she is pleased to have Wong at the helm.
"He brings a knowledge of immigration history, a wealth of executive experience and a passion to see our restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station to fruition," she said.