Title
Honoring the life of civic leader and former Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Anthony J. Wong.
Body
WHEREAS, Anthony J. Wong was a trailblazing civic leader and public servant who paved the way for Asian Americans in Philadelphia as the highest ranking officer of Asian descent in the Philadelphia Police Department and founder of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Coalition; and
WHEREAS, Wong was born in Philadelphia in 1928, the only child of Chinese immigrants who owned a restaurant in Chinatown; and
WHEREAS, After completing high school, Wong enlisted in the U.S. Army and went on to serve in both World War II and the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, Following his military service, Wong became the first police officer of Asian descent in Philadelphia when he joined the force in 1953; and
WHEREAS, Wong served in the Department for 50 years, rising to the rank of Chief Inspector; and
WHEREAS, Wong also twice led the Training Bureau and commanded the Community Relations Division and the Patrol Bureau, and served as the commanding officer of the Police Training Bureau at the Police Academy; and
WHEREAS, While serving in the Police Department, Wong remained an active community leader in Chinatown; and
WHEREAS, Wong was a founding member of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Coalition and served on the board of the On Lok House, an apartment building for low-income senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, Wong was also an educator, teaching criminal justice, criminal investigation, and laws and procedures at the Community College of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Wong was a role model for his community and mentor to countless cadets and colleagues in the Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans, and the City of Philadelphia at-large, were well served by Wong's trailblazing life of service and sacrifice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it herby honors the life of civic leader and former Philadelphi...
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