San Diego Unveiling Honorary Tom Hom Avenue

Hundreds of people gathered today to witness history - for the first time in San Diego, a street has been named after a Chinese-American.  Third Avenue, where Tom Hom was born 95 years ago, will now be known as 'Honorary Tom Hom Ave'.  The street sign also bears the Chinese version of the name, '谭卓仪荣誉大街‘.

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'Trailblazer', 'Pioneer', 'Role-model', 'Inspiration' - these were some of the words speakers used to describe the legendary Tom Hom at the event.  Tom is known to San Diego, especially among the API community, as the first minority to break the political glass-ceiling by winning the election for city council in 1963.  Two years later, Tom won a second term in a bigger victory.  After that Tom successfully campaigned for and was elected to California's state assembly in 1968.  In over half a century since, Tom has inspired and personally helped countless Asian Americans in their political endeavors and in serving the communities they love.

Dr. Lilly Cheng, professor of SDSU, hosted the ceremony.  Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmembers Stephen Whitburn and Chris Cate, Mr. Peter Chu - President of CCBA and Ms. Natasha Wong - President of House of China, Balboa Park, spoke at the ceremony.

Mayor Gloria proclaimed that February 15, 2022, when Tom Hom will turn 95, to be Tom Hom Day in San Diego.

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