National ACE CEO Chiling Tong Appointed to the Commission to Study the Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[May 19, 2023]
Contact: Emily Fuder (efuder@nationalace.org)
National ACE CEO Chiling Tong Appointed to the Commission to Study the Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
[May 18, Washington, DC] — The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) today celebrates the appointment of National ACE President and CEO Chiling Tong to the commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian and Pacific American History and Culture.
The bill was signed into law by President Biden in June 2022. Tong will be one of 8 commissioners with backgrounds in museum planning or Asian Pacific American history and culture to examine the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, funding and operating such a facility in the nation’s capital, possibly as part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Chiling Tong has been appointed by U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to the Commission, convened by the enactment of H.R. 3525 which was originally sponsored by Representative Grace Meng (D-NY). The commission is to submit its recommendations to the President and Congress within 18 months.
“Our community is the fastest growing minority group in the United States and has the highest rate of business ownership,” Tong said. “Asian American Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) have made great contributions to building this country. This museum can showcase our history and culture in a positive way to honor the past and connect our future. It can bring our strength together, inspire our courage and help to preserve our history and culture to pass our next generation of AANHPI.”
“The leadership of National ACE couldn’t be more thrilled to have Chiling participate in this important commission to study the opportunities that exist to enshrine our rich history, traditions, and values in a National Museum,” said National ACE Board Chair, Thear Suzuki
Tong is the President and CEO of the National Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) representing the interests of 2.65 million Asian AANHPI small business owners and entrepreneurs. Tong is also the Founding President of the International Leadership Foundation (ILF), a nonprofit organization promoting civic awareness and public service for AAPI college students, and was an Ash Center Research fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. Tong previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of International Trade Administration and was subsequently the Chief of Staff and Associate Director for Minority Business Development Agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce. She was also appointed as a member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Currently, Tong is a member of the Treasury Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Director of the Congressional Awards for young leaders, Census Bureau National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations, and the Small Business Administration’s Council on Underserved Communities.
