GOP Involvement in 1987
In 1987, Esther's top priorities were to develop the newly founded TARC as rapidly as possible and encourage TARC members to become involved not only at local and state levels but also at national level. She was helping the National Republican Asian Assembly’s (NRAA) inaugural conference held in Arlington, VA from June 14 and 15, 1987. (file:ProgramNRAAcover87) She was a member of the Banquet Committee (file:ProgramNRAA87) and tried to invite Asian American Texans to attend and even arranged meetings with GOP presidential candidates and Republican National Committee (RNC) staff for them. (file:xtoRNCforfellowTXAsianGOP270487 and xtoAATx300487) She looked for opportunities for Asian American Texans for political appointments at both state and national levels. Since she believed in local/grassroots politics her priority was to build a strong TARC in Texas.
This was the first year of the Texas Asian American Caucus (TARC) with new officers elected on December 27, 1986. Unfortunately, this newly formed group did not grow under the first chairman as expected. Thus, there is very limited information about TARC for 1987. By the end of 1987, new officers were elected. Dr. Esther Lee was elected as the chair and Dr. Y. T. Huang of Dallas as the co-chair. Following the election, Dr. Lee sent out a memo to Executive Committee members and Chapter chairmen on November 24, 1987 to outline the goals and tasks for the upcoming Presidential election in 1988, including a directive to revitalize all local chapters. In Esther’s memo of December 13, 1987, she recommitted to reactivate TARC and lead it back to the right direction/track after a year of zero accomplishment under the previous chairperson.
Meanwhile, Esther was appointed to serve on the Congressional Commission for the Study of International Migration and Cooperative Economic Development. A separate file/section contains the details of Esther’s appointment and service from 1987-1990. This subcabinet level of appointment required frequent travelling to meet heads of state of foreign nations and American cities for public hearings.
News
Dr. Esther S. Lee (Yao). a Republican activist but longtime Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire’s supporter.
Those who helped organize the coalition said that mayoral candidate James Hofheinz's supporters were better organized and that James Hofheinz himself reached out to Asian Americans very early in his campaign.
However, Lee/Yao said, Whitmire's support among Asian-Americans runs deep, especially among those involved in politics for many years. (from July 1987 Ameri-Asia News)
Dr. Esther S. Lee (Yao). a Republican activist but longtime Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire’s supporter.
Those who helped organize the coalition said that mayoral candidate James Hofheinz's supporters were better organized and that James Hofheinz himself reached out to Asian Americans very early in his campaign.
However, Lee/Yao said, Whitmire's support among Asian-Americans runs deep, especially among those involved in politics for many years. (from July 1987 Ameri-Asia News)
