GOP Involvement in 1983
This was not a major election year except the local mayoral race. Thus, Esther devoted her time and energy to build up the state Asian/Pacific Republican groups, Asian American National Republican Federation (AANRF) and its Texas chapter, TAANRF.
In 1983, Michael Sotirhos was the chairman of the Republican National Committee’s National/Ethnic Heritage Groups Council (NRHGC). As a new kid in the block, without knowing the details of the structure and political manipulation, Esther merely tried to follow and support Mrs. Chennault who was active in NRHGC in Washington, D.C. Because of her active involvement in the development of AANRF, Esther was listed as one of the advisors on their letterhead.
Meanwhile, she continued promoting interaction between elected office holders and Asian/Pacific Americans, including the Democrat mayor and Congressman Ron Paul.
Being a cross-culture educator, Esther always tried to promote mutual understanding between Americans and Asian/Pacific Americans since the beginning of her career with the University of Houston/Clear Lake. She organized the first Chinese Lunar New Year Festival on campus in late 1970s. Chinese Southwest Newspaper’s founder, Mr. Wei-Hua Lee, reported the event in person, because he was the only "reporter" in these early days. Today, this news network including TV has grown very influential in the USA.
Although GOP governor Bill Clements was defeated by Mark White in 1982, Esther wanted Asian/Pacific Americans to become more interested in American political process regardless of party boundaries. She organized the first annual event “Statesman of the Year” to honor American political leaders. During the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, the newly elected Governor, Mark White, was the first one to be honored at the banquet of Statesman of the Year in 1983. This annual tradition is continuing even up today.
This was not a major election year except the local mayoral race. Thus, Esther devoted her time and energy to build up the state Asian/Pacific Republican groups, Asian American National Republican Federation (AANRF) and its Texas chapter, TAANRF.
In 1983, Michael Sotirhos was the chairman of the Republican National Committee’s National/Ethnic Heritage Groups Council (NRHGC). As a new kid in the block, without knowing the details of the structure and political manipulation, Esther merely tried to follow and support Mrs. Chennault who was active in NRHGC in Washington, D.C. Because of her active involvement in the development of AANRF, Esther was listed as one of the advisors on their letterhead.
Meanwhile, she continued promoting interaction between elected office holders and Asian/Pacific Americans, including the Democrat mayor and Congressman Ron Paul.
Being a cross-culture educator, Esther always tried to promote mutual understanding between Americans and Asian/Pacific Americans since the beginning of her career with the University of Houston/Clear Lake. She organized the first Chinese Lunar New Year Festival on campus in late 1970s. Chinese Southwest Newspaper’s founder, Mr. Wei-Hua Lee, reported the event in person, because he was the only "reporter" in these early days. Today, this news network including TV has grown very influential in the USA.
Although GOP governor Bill Clements was defeated by Mark White in 1982, Esther wanted Asian/Pacific Americans to become more interested in American political process regardless of party boundaries. She organized the first annual event “Statesman of the Year” to honor American political leaders. During the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration, the newly elected Governor, Mark White, was the first one to be honored at the banquet of Statesman of the Year in 1983. This annual tradition is continuing even up today.
