Since SCCCA’s establishment in 1976, we have built a community of Chinese Americans who cherish their cultural heritage as they embrace the opportunities of the new world. Many have successfully achieved the American dream through professional accomplishments, all the while recognizing America’s strength lies in diversity, and have assumed a leadership role in championing an inclusive society for succeeding generations. Among these visionary leaders is Dr. Maxwell Cheung who passed away on February 16, 2023.
Dr. Maxwell Cheung was president of the Chinese American Council of the Bowers Museum Foundation. In 1984 he chaired a fundraiser “Iron Spikes” to pay tribute to the Chinese workers on the transcontinental railroad. The more than 1000 guests at the event were deeply touched by Dr. Cheung’s dream of promoting Chinese American history through stories and exhibits. Many attendees still refer to “Iron Spikes” as one of their most memorable moments as they learned about the buried chapter of Chinese railroad workers.
Dr. Cheung’s passion for documenting and preserving Chinese American history also paved the way for the publication of Chinese Americans In Irvine 1971-2021, under a committee chaired by his wife, Rose. During the editing sessions, “Iron Spikes” was often mentioned as a source of inspiration.
In the 1980s Dr. Cheung and a group of community leaders started the “Chinese Treasure” program based on the Treasure Chest program of the Historical and Cultural Foundation of Orange County, a travelling exhibit of ethnic artifacts. The “Chinese Treasure Chest” was made available to more than 700 public and private schools in Orange County. The Chest included such artifacts as ancient jars, cloisonné trays, art scrolls, block prints, traditional games and teacher’s manuals. For many students, that was their first encounter with Chinese art and history. And the teachers appreciated the teaching guides which helped them incorporate exhibit materials into their curricula.
As an advocate for cultural education and historical preservation, Dr. Cheung inspired many with his bold vision and tireless efforts. We are forever grateful for his contributions and the many ways in which he has enriched our lives.
鐵漢金釘的迴響--感懷張文昌博士
南海岸中華文化協會自1976年創立以來，結合一批致力在美國發揚中華文化的社會菁英，他們不僅追求個人的美國夢，更關心促進多元文化，提升美國華裔地位，為下一代營造更包容的大環境。文化中心能有今日規模，可說是這群人同心合作的成果，而其中一位令人尊敬的社區領袖張文昌博士今年2月16日去世了。
張文昌博士曾先後擔任過華裔文史協會會長及橙縣文史基金會董事，與志同道合的朋友致力提倡多元文化，迄今仍令人津津樂道。在1984年一場千人出席的「鐵漢金釘」晚會中，晚會主席張文昌講述跨太平洋鐵路對繁榮及團結美國的重大貢獻，然而冒著生命危險，參與修築鐵路的萬餘名華工卻被排除在官方文獻之外。參加那場晚會的除了有華工後代、歷史學者之外，還有來自各行各業的華裔菁英，見證百餘年來華裔對美國社會的貢獻。
2021年南海岸中華文化中心出版《爾灣華裔紀實》一書，由張文昌的賢內助方光梅出任編輯委員會共同主席，在編輯過程中，經常有人提起「鐵漢金釘」晚會的人與事，儘管事隔近30年，延續保存華裔歷史、文化的初衷，仍激起不絕的迴響與共鳴。
橙縣文史基金會從1987年起推出《中華文化寶藏》巡迴展，由義工團隊負責展覽規畫、展品收集、募款、訂製壓克力展示櫃、編印教師手冊、設計簡易生動的課堂活動，協助美國本地學生了解中華文化，作為送給年輕學子的禮物，也是張文昌夫婦共同參與回饋社區的另一椿美事。
張文昌博士數十年來致力於保存華裔歷史，在美國傳承與發揚中華文化的心願與努力，堪稱是當代華裔菁英留下來最珍貴的資產之一，我們將永遠感念他的風範。