History of Chinese Americans in San Diego
A Personal Story by Tom Hom
Hosted by: ACA San Diego
When: Wednesday, March 6, 2019. 6:00 - 7:30 PM (book signing precedes and follows the talk)
Where: Mira Mesa Public Library, Meeting Room. Address: 8405 New Salem Street, San Diego, CA 92126
Presentation Language: English only
RSVP: Seating is limited. Please click here to register
About Tom Hom
At age of 92, Tom Hom is a legendary Chinese American in San Diego.
Throughout his life, Tom Hom has been instrumental in transforming San Diego into the vibrant city it is today. Tom’s family history in San Diego began when his grandfather arrived in San Diego from Guangdong, China in 1884. Tom’s father immigrated to San Diego in 1909, 110 years ago! Tom was born and raised in San Diego’s old Chinatown located at 3rd Ave and J Street.
Tom received his first lesson in civic affairs at age of 12, from his father, who told him that, in front of City Hall, ‘In America, the laws that come out of there dependent upon the kind of people the voters put in there’. Tom said it to himself that, ‘one day I would like to be one of those people’.
In 1963, Tom made history when he was elected as the first minority to the San Diego City Council, and two years later, elected to be Deputy Mayor. In 1967, he won re-election with a landslide 87% of the vote.
In 1968, Tom was elected to the California State Assembly. He was the second Asian to be elected.
Tom has left his footprints throughout San Diego. As founding president of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, he was instrumental in the transformation of the then skid-row into today’s vibrant historic Gaslamp Quarter District.
Tom also led the effort to establish the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in downtown.
In recent years, Tom was responsible for saving Western Metal Supply Company building by incorporating it into the field of Petco Park.
Throughout his life, Tom has helped generations of people succeed, especially those minority Americans as well as newcomers. Many of the Chinese immigrants have directly benefited from his guidance, leadership and generosity.
In 2014, Tom published his autobiography, 'Rabbit on a Bumpy Road'
Also In 2014, Tom was named 'Mr. San Diego' by San Diego Rotary Club.
At age of 92, Tom Hom is a legendary Chinese American in San Diego.
Throughout his life, Tom Hom has been instrumental in transforming San Diego into the vibrant city it is today. Tom’s family history in San Diego began when his grandfather arrived in San Diego from Guangdong, China in 1884. Tom’s father immigrated to San Diego in 1909, 110 years ago! Tom was born and raised in San Diego’s old Chinatown located at 3rd Ave and J Street.
Tom received his first lesson in civic affairs at age of 12, from his father, who told him that, in front of City Hall, ‘In America, the laws that come out of there dependent upon the kind of people the voters put in there’. Tom said it to himself that, ‘one day I would like to be one of those people’.
In 1963, Tom made history when he was elected as the first minority to the San Diego City Council, and two years later, elected to be Deputy Mayor. In 1967, he won re-election with a landslide 87% of the vote.
In 1968, Tom was elected to the California State Assembly. He was the second Asian to be elected.
Tom has left his footprints throughout San Diego. As founding president of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, he was instrumental in the transformation of the then skid-row into today’s vibrant historic Gaslamp Quarter District.
Tom also led the effort to establish the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum in downtown.
In recent years, Tom was responsible for saving Western Metal Supply Company building by incorporating it into the field of Petco Park.
Throughout his life, Tom has helped generations of people succeed, especially those minority Americans as well as newcomers. Many of the Chinese immigrants have directly benefited from his guidance, leadership and generosity.
In 2014, Tom published his autobiography, 'Rabbit on a Bumpy Road'
Also In 2014, Tom was named 'Mr. San Diego' by San Diego Rotary Club.