San Jose, California, on Friday proclaimed Oct. 25 to be “Taiwanese Day” to honor the contributions of Taiwanese communities and recognize their role in efforts to restore a garden in Overfelt Park.
A flag-raising ceremony for the national flags of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the US was held at the San Jose City Hall plaza, with Taiwanese expatriates and government officials attending, including San Jose City Council member Peter Ortiz.
“Today, with pride and joy, we proclaim the Republic of China, Taiwanese Day — a day that honors the contributions of Taiwanese communities and celebrates the deep bonds that unite us all,” Ortiz said in a speech.
Photo courtesy of the Sino American Heritage Foundation via CNA
The council member, who represents District 5 in East San Jose, thanked the nonprofit Sino American Heritage Foundation for launching a fundraising campaign to restore Overfelt Park’s Chinese Cultural Garden.
The proclamation of “Taiwanese Day” was made to recognize the foundation’s efforts, with the council set to formally issue the designation on Tuesday.
The garden, which was established in the 1970s, has deteriorated due to wear and tear, insufficient maintenance and vandalism, the foundation said.
Without immediate action, the city risks losing the invaluable landmark, which embodies the spirit and contributions of the local community, it said.
“Events like this remind us that diversity is our strength and when we embrace our many backgrounds, we build a stronger and more compassionate society for everyone,” Ortiz said.
The ceremony was also attended by Chu Yung-chang (朱永昌), deputy head of Taiwan’s representative office in San Francisco, and foundation chairman David Lin (林大銳).
Chu described San Jose as the heart of Silicon Valley and home to many Taiwanese-Americans.
He praised its sister-city relationship with Tainan, calling it the “cultural capital of Taiwan.”
“Taiwanese Day” reflects the long-standing friendship between Taiwan and San Jose, and recognizes the Taiwanese-American community’s important contributions to the city’s culture and diversity, Lin said.