WASHINGTON, DC –  U.S. Rep. Michael Honda (CA-15) celebrates the life and contributions of Chinese-American leader, and CA-15 District’s own, Gordon Chan in a U.S. Postal Service office naming on February 18, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. The naming ceremony of the post office located at the facility on 1750 Lundy Avenue in San Jose will feature San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and an address by U.S. Rep. Michael Honda.

This will be San Jose’s first US Post Office naming ceremony.

As a pioneer of Chinese-American political leadership and participation in Santa Clara County, Gordon Chan broke critical new ground for the Asian-American community. The first Chinese-American to be appointed to the Santa Clara County Planning Commission in the 1980s, Chan was also the first and only Chinese-American president of the Santa Clara Farm Bureau, a bureau which represents all farmers in the County. In dedication to Santa Clara County, Chan also served on the County’s Redistricting Commission, Trail Commission, Open Space Authority, Cut Flower Commission, and the Fair Board.

Reflecting on Chan’s public service and commitment to the Asian-American community, Rep. Honda commented, “Gordon Chan deserves recognition for dedicating his life to political activism, charity, community service, improving the lives of others, and to providing a role model for young Asian-Americans to follow.

Naming the Post Office in honor of Gordon’s service pays due tribute to his life and his family. I’m honored to be in a position, as a Member of Congress, to help make the ‘Gordon N. Chan Post Office’ a reality.”

Gordon N. Chan, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 66, played key roles in the Asian-American community, as well, serving as chairman and executive director of Asian Americans for Community Involvement, founder and executive board member of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, and president of the Hee Shen Benevolent Association. Gordon Chan’s wife Anita and his daughters, Angela, Juliet and Janet, now carry his legacy through continued community service, philanthropy and activism.