Resolution 210763

..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 Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Anthony J. Wong. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to the Wong family, further evidencing the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. ..End