Judge Delbert E. Wong Square to be Dedicated in Los Angeles Chinatown

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Judge Delbert E. Wong, a community leader and philanthropist, will be honored for his life's work with an established landmark dedicated in his name. Judge Delbert E. Wong Square will be dedicated with the unveiling of the new signs designating the location, the intersection of North Hill Street and Ord Street in historic Los Angeles Chinatown.  The event will take place Friday, March 1, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. at Judge Delbert E. Wong Square.

Additionally, on Friday, March 1, 2013 Councilmember Ed P. Reyes will recognize Judge Delbert E. Wong Square during the Los Angeles City Council meeting Los Angeles City Hall. Councilmember Reyes has been a key ally to name this Chinatown square in honor of Judge Wong and will officiate on March 1.

Judge Wong (May 17, 1920 – March 10, 2006) dedicated his entire life to public service. He was a champion for civil rights, equality and integrity. His life was marked by many firsts. He was the first Chinese-American graduate of Stanford Law School, the first Asian American to serve the California State Legislature as deputy legislative counsel, and the first Asian American to be deputy state attorney general.  Most notably, his appointment as a judge for Los Angeles County Municipal Court made him the first Chinese American in the contiguous United States to serve as a judge. He later advanced to State Superior Court, where he served for over two decades.

Judge Wong and his wife, Dolores, made significant contributions to legal, social and cultural organizations such as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, the Chinatown Service Center, the Chinese American Museum, the Chinese American Citizens Alliance and the Friends of Chinatown Library.

The public and the press, as well as colleagues and friends of Judge Wong, are invited to witness this important community event. A brief pre-reception hosted by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center will be held Friday, March 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the Chinatown Library's community rooms, adjacent to the dedication site. 

It is the first time a Chinese American will be recognized anywhere by the City of Los Angeles with an official landmark, street or square.

SOURCE LA Chinatown Business Improvement District