7/28/2019 HML Intro _ Roots
2/22
Him Mark Lais lie work exemplies the quest to discover the
hi
tory o Chinese in America. In all his work, he allowed the
voices o
the past to speak through his historical work.
The In Search of Roots program was conceived by Him Mark L
in the mid-1980s. Together with Al Cheng and other voluntee
under the auspices o the Chinese Culture Foundation, the Roo
program was developed and presented in 1991. The amily o D
Richard and Tatwina Lee contributed generously to launch the
program and sent the rst group o interns to their ancestral
village
in Guangdong Province. For over twenty years, the Foundatio
operated and supported this important program in close
partne
ship with the Chinese Historical Society o America and
Oversea
Chinese Aairs Ofce o Guangdong Provincial Government ().
The Roots Program has learned much rom these incred
ible journeys, and it is in the spirit o cultural and
sel-explora
tion that we are committed to continue honoring the legacy o
Him Mark Lai on both shores o the Pacic by establishing th
Him Mark Lai Learning Center. Through the generosity o Laura
La
and Rolland and Kathy Lowe, the Foundation is able to
institution
alize and expand the In Search of Roots program.
About the Him Mark Lai Learning Center:
Activities of the Him Mark LaiLearning Center will include:
From Dynasty to Democracy Walk: A two hour guided tour
through Chinatown that highlights Chinese American contribu-
tions to American democracy, the importance in Chinese labor
in building Caliornia and their uphill struggles to overcome
le-
gal, political and economic exclusion.
In Search of Roots Seminars: Seminars and workshops on Chi-
nese American history will be developed and tailored or high
schools, colleges and universities, as well as the
proessional
development needs o businesses and employee associations.
These seminars will help promote cross-cultural
understanding
and connect people across racial, generational and
socio-eco-
nomic lines through stories, multi-media, and public engage-
ment.
In Search of Roots in California: Periodical eld trips and
study
programs on aspects o Chinese American lie and contribu-tions.
Participants will visit historic sites, such as, Locke, China
Camp, Angel Island, gold-mining towns, shing villages, to
learn
about our ancestors roles in the development o Caliornia.
In Search of Roots in China: A study program ocused on the
study o ancestral villages in search o amily roots and heri-
tage, which includes an opportunity to experience
connections
.between people, amilies and institutions in China today.
Students from Washington Open Elementary, Santa Clara, le
about the history of Chinatown with Educational Docent Lois
In Search of Roots 2011 experinew family spirit after exploring
their ancestral v
King Jung Lam on one of the rst In Search of Roots
program visiting his home village in the 1990s.
