GOP 1982
This year Esther was active at both state and federal campaigns. She was involved in State Representative Rand Pennington’s re-election. He and his wife Paula attended the same church, Sagemont Baptist Church, with Esther. Esther did not stay in that church long due to her commitment to the newly formed Chinese church. However, the Yaos and the conservative Penningtons became friends; The Yaos invited them over for Chinese dinners in both February 81 and 82.
Meanwhile, Esther also supported Buster Brown’s reelection as state senator. He had become a strong reference for Esther's future political appointments. He and his wife, Jill, also became friends of the Yaos.
Esther was involved in two congressional races this year. Vicki recruited Esther for Congressman Jimmy Collins’ bid for the US Senate. Esther arranged him to meet the Asian leaders and newspaper publishers on April 11, 1982. Esther also supported Mike Faubion for US Congress since the incumbent was a Democrat. Esther hosted the first event for him and his wife Tamara at home on Feb. 6, 1982.
For the statewide races, Esther participated in Bill Clements' campaign for governor, and George Strake's for Lt. Governor. He lost the race but later became the GOP state chair. With his support and advice, the Texas Asian Republican Caucus (TARC) was formed later. At that time, Russ Mather served as the County GOP Chair. Russ supported the Asian group and provided Esther with the county office for their planning meetings for special events.
Esther was a delegate to the Senatorial district #11 convention on May 15, 1982 and delegate to the state convention in Austin, September 10-11 after two years of active involvement in the party.
Like the OCA Houston Chapter, Esther founded the Texas Chapter of Asian American National Republic Federation (TAANRF) under the Asian American National Republican Federation (AANRF) in 1982. Since she organized the group, she let other people take the leadership role as she did with the OCA chapter. This time with great efforts she was able to fine an old timer Chinese Americans from Houston Chinatown. Traditionally, Chinese Americans either foreign born or American born tended to vote for Democrat and not Republican. Thus, it was not easy to get the old timers involved in the Republican Party. She had to rely on the new immigrants including all Asian groups, i.e., Singh from India and Southeast Asian refugees. She invited Bill Ong, a native Houstonian of Chinese descent, to serve as the first chairman while she served as program coordinator for the 500 people event held at the Adams Mark Hotel, Sunday, October 24, 1982, 7:00-10:00 pm. She invited all the 1982 GOP statewide candidates and office holders. She delivered an opening speech. Mrs. Anna Chennault was invited for this inaugural event. This was the first time Esther met Mrs. Chennault.
As a result of Esther’s contribution to the Party she felt that it was time for her to serve on some national educational committees where she could share her expertise with certain decision makers. Thus, she continued her efforts with input from Mr. John Wu of the US Dept. of Education. He was then the deputy assistant secretary of Adult Education and the highest ranking Chinese in the Reagan administration at that time. No other Chinese American people had held higher position than his prior to that time.
June 6, 2010
This year Esther was active at both state and federal campaigns. She was involved in State Representative Rand Pennington’s re-election. He and his wife Paula attended the same church, Sagemont Baptist Church, with Esther. Esther did not stay in that church long due to her commitment to the newly formed Chinese church. However, the Yaos and the conservative Penningtons became friends; The Yaos invited them over for Chinese dinners in both February 81 and 82.
Meanwhile, Esther also supported Buster Brown’s reelection as state senator. He had become a strong reference for Esther's future political appointments. He and his wife, Jill, also became friends of the Yaos.
Esther was involved in two congressional races this year. Vicki recruited Esther for Congressman Jimmy Collins’ bid for the US Senate. Esther arranged him to meet the Asian leaders and newspaper publishers on April 11, 1982. Esther also supported Mike Faubion for US Congress since the incumbent was a Democrat. Esther hosted the first event for him and his wife Tamara at home on Feb. 6, 1982.
For the statewide races, Esther participated in Bill Clements' campaign for governor, and George Strake's for Lt. Governor. He lost the race but later became the GOP state chair. With his support and advice, the Texas Asian Republican Caucus (TARC) was formed later. At that time, Russ Mather served as the County GOP Chair. Russ supported the Asian group and provided Esther with the county office for their planning meetings for special events.
Esther was a delegate to the Senatorial district #11 convention on May 15, 1982 and delegate to the state convention in Austin, September 10-11 after two years of active involvement in the party.
Like the OCA Houston Chapter, Esther founded the Texas Chapter of Asian American National Republic Federation (TAANRF) under the Asian American National Republican Federation (AANRF) in 1982. Since she organized the group, she let other people take the leadership role as she did with the OCA chapter. This time with great efforts she was able to fine an old timer Chinese Americans from Houston Chinatown. Traditionally, Chinese Americans either foreign born or American born tended to vote for Democrat and not Republican. Thus, it was not easy to get the old timers involved in the Republican Party. She had to rely on the new immigrants including all Asian groups, i.e., Singh from India and Southeast Asian refugees. She invited Bill Ong, a native Houstonian of Chinese descent, to serve as the first chairman while she served as program coordinator for the 500 people event held at the Adams Mark Hotel, Sunday, October 24, 1982, 7:00-10:00 pm. She invited all the 1982 GOP statewide candidates and office holders. She delivered an opening speech. Mrs. Anna Chennault was invited for this inaugural event. This was the first time Esther met Mrs. Chennault.
As a result of Esther’s contribution to the Party she felt that it was time for her to serve on some national educational committees where she could share her expertise with certain decision makers. Thus, she continued her efforts with input from Mr. John Wu of the US Dept. of Education. He was then the deputy assistant secretary of Adult Education and the highest ranking Chinese in the Reagan administration at that time. No other Chinese American people had held higher position than his prior to that time.
June 6, 2010