Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark R. Denton and Valorie J. Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
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Chinese native Hu passes bar, becames attorney at Kolesar & Leatham
--- UNLV Boyd Law School graduate came to the U. S. in 1997 searching for a new life
By D. J. Allen and Amber Schutz

Chinese native and 2003 Boyd Law School graduate Christine Yimei Hu has been named an attorney for Las Vegas-based Kolesar & Leatham -- a comprehensive business-oriented law firm -- after passing the most recent Nevada State Bar Exam.

And her story is one for the ages.

Hu -- who graduated from Xiamen University in China -- came to the United States in 1997 with a dream of studying law despite having no contacts in her new country. After earning her master's in business administration, Hu began law school at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2000.

"I'm ready for my new world and new adventures," said Hu, who previously served as a law clerk with Kolesar & Leatham. "In America, you can achieve as long as you work hard. That's the American dream, right?"

In her new role, Hu -- who earned undergraduate degree in Japanese -- will help serve as a bridge for many Asian investors and business people that are lookong to do business in Nevada.

"During my years in college, I began to contrast the East and the West cultures in a whole new way, appreciating the differences and the similarities," said Hu, who speaks English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese. "Now, I am in a position to help from the East to learn the ways of the United States and to also help Americans understand Asian culture."

Matthew Saltzman, a shareholder of Kolesar & Leatham, said Hu brings a unique element to the firm of 16 attorneys.

"Because of her language skills and her contacts, she will serve as a bridge to our Asian clients that are looking to do business in Nevada or who need assistance within our legal system," Saltzman said. "That is a growing market now and will be in the future, and we're fortunate to have her with us."

Founded in 1986, Kolesar & Leatham is a full-service law firm practicing in the areas of banking, bankruptcy, real property, business and corporate law, commercial litigation, tax and estate planning, and tax litigation. The firm's practice includes representation of at local, national, and international levels.

While serving as a liaison for the Asain community, Hu said the biggest challenge is to help non-Americans understand the different business culture in the United States compared to Asian countries.

"You can never have too much knowledge," said Hu whose father is a polotical leader and successful businessman in China. "As an attorney from a foreign culture, I can help clients become comfortable with the American legal system and western ways of doing things."

Hu's eldest sister, one of the first generation exposed to the influx of Western culture under the "Open Door" policy in China, initially brought Hu into the Western culture through literature.

From Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales to Oliver Twist, from Leo Tolstoy's autobiography to Jane Eyre, Hu said she developed a keen sense of sympathy for people who had suffered. She said she also developed a strong passion, love for people and life, and great desire to help those in need.

"As these very different characteristics combined, developed, and integrated into my personality, I have found myself on the outset of the long-journey to my life-long achieving goal: intellectual enrichment and the use of my knowledge to help those in need of a helping hand," Hu said.

Great enthusiasm about literature and cultures as well as the eagerness for new knowledge made Hu chose Japanese and Japanese Literature as her first major in college.

"In addition, history and social science studies provides me a better understanding of the evolution of these societies and their legal systems," she said. "This knowledge, however, did not satisfy my eagerness and ambition. Instead, it created more desire for further learning and advancement."

And that is exactly what Hu has done -- advanced. But it's safe to say she has not reached her limit. Instead, she is lookong to grow even more.

"You never know what type of world you live in until you go out and see it," she said. "And I still feel as if I have a lot more to see."

Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark R. Denton and Valorie J. Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
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Celebrating Deversity by Governor Kenny Guinn of Nevada, U. S. A.
By Tiffany Chang

Dr. Tony T. Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) received the following message from Governor Kenny C. Guinn of Nevada, U . S. A. in the morning on December 10, 2003:

Governor Guinn reminds us that tourism is the bedrock of Nevada's economy. To expand and diversify our domestic and international markets are absolutely essential to our long-term economic growth and stability.

The annual "Governor's Conference on Tourism will be held by the Governor at Caesears Palace on December 15-17. He will join the members of the Commission on Tourism so that we can examine the latest tourism industry issue and trends. The theme is "Celebrating Deversity. It has been chosen to draw attention to Nevada's efforts to broaden both its tourism product and market. A celebration of "Legend of the Industry" with a tribute to a true Nevadan - former Tourism Commissioner Claudine Williams will be held at the conference. The Governor will also award 118 Governor's Tourism Development Awards to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of those Nevadans who have enhanced our tourism product this year by building or adding new facilities. Governor Kenny Guinn invites Dr. Tony Lei to join them at the Conference held by him at Caesars Palace on December 15-17 in celebrating the diversity that makes the Silver State a perennial leader in worldwide tourism.

In this message, the Governor says that he is happy to report that the "Commission on Tourism", chaired by Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt, recently completed with great success Nevada's first tourism and trade mission to China. China is the fastest growing economy. It will be the world's fourth tourist base by the year of 2020. The recent record shows us that the Chinese vacationer outspends visitors from most other nations, spending an average of $5,200.00 per visit. With a clever view and world perspective, it is easy to see why we need to work to develop potentially lucrative markets overseas.

He expresses that he cannot overemphasize the significance and importance of bringing attention to all the attractions to Nevada at a time when it faces unprecedented competition for gaming customers. Governor Kenny Guinn believes that we are wise to expand our marketing efforts and focus on developing markets in places such as Asia. It is significant for him to point out that in addition to gaming, Nevada has phenomenal cultural, historic, and recreational resources that we must continue to promote. The Governor emphasizes that for our state's economy to thrive, all of the Silver State's tourism opportunities must be effectively marketed to both domestic and international visitors.*1

In addition to the efforts of the City, County, and State of Nevada, Washington Business and Technology Institute has dedicated to help promote the cooperation and development of cultural, educational, and tourism among Asian countries and Nevada since its establishment on January 8, 1996. With Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt's inspiration, Dr. Tony Lei and Sally Yu assisted successfully the establishments of the Sister States of Qinghai of China and Nevada, and the Sister Cities of Jiayuguan of China and North Las Vegas. Dr. Tony Lei, President of WBTI, has been honored by China Business Chain, Inc. (CBCI), Shangshai Development and Municipal Government Cooperation Office (SPMGCO), and China State Development and Planning Commission as Chairman of Nevada Expo Mission to China. He is also invited by Xiamen, Fuchien, China to organize a team with high-ranking officials for both educational and business cooperation and development. U. S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkely, Nevada Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman have been invited as its honorable Chairpersons.*2

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Advisory Board: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors.
U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao
Chairperson
Dr. Tony T. Lei
President
District Judges Mark R. Denton and Valorie J. Vega
Vice Presidents
Dr. William N. Thompson
Director of Public Administration Institution
Dr. E. Lee Bernick and Dr. G. Keong Leong
Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
Dr. Sue Fawn Chung
Director of Culture Institution
Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC)
District Attorney David Roger and Sheriff Bill Young
Chairmen of CCDAPCC
(702) 255-9058
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Drs. Mark Denton and Valorie Vega appointed Vice Presidents of Washington Business and Technology Institute
By Mark Denton, Valorie Vega, and Tiffany Chang

"On December 3, 2003, Drs. Mark R. Denton and Valorie J. Vega were appointed Vice Presidents of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) by our President Dr. Tony Lei. This has been arranged appropriately in meeting the need of retirement of our previous Vice Presidents Drs. Sherman Wu and Toni Ni," Dr. John Wang, Spokesman of WBTI, announced on December 5, 2003 in Las Vegas.

Mark R. Denton received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. in 1976. He was raised in Boulder City and graduated from Boulder High School in 1969. In 1973, Mark graduate with disinction from the University of Nevada, Reno. He completed ROTC and received a commission in the U.S. Army as reserve officer. While in college, Mark spent his junior year in Paris, France through an affiliate of UNR at the Universite de Paris.

Prior to his appointment to the bench on August 19, 1998, Mark had extensive judicial experience. He served as municipal court judge in BoulderCity for seven years. He was an arbitrator under the Court Annexed Arbitration Program of the Eighth Judicial District Court since its inception in 1992. He was an alternate Juvenile Court Referee and a Nevada Supreme Court settlement Judge.Currently sits as a civil judge on the Eighth Judicial District Court, Mark has been re-elected in the general election of November 5,2002.*1 Vice President Mark Denton and his wife 27 years, Alice, have four children: Leslie Marie, 24, Marianne Yvette, 20, Jacqueline, 16, and Patrick, 11.

Valorie J. Vega is a holder of Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Southern California's Law Center. She received a Bechelor of Arts degree from CSU Northridge. She received her graduate studies certificate in International/Translation from UC Santa Barbara.

Vice President Valorie Vega was appointed on February 21, 1999 by Governor Kenny Guinn then had her winning as District Judge of Nevada on May 15, 2000. She has over a dozen years of experience as a jurist prior to which time she practiced in both criminial and civil law arenas. She was appointed to Municipal Court in 1989 and was retained and re-elected by the voters until her resignation in 1999 to accept the District Court appointment. She is a former Clark County Deputy District Attorney from 1984 through 1989, procecuting felony cases, and was instrumental in implementing the office's first Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team.
Disrict Judge Vega is involved in her profession and community. She is a Board Member of the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern Nevada as well as the Latin Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Bar Association. She is a member of the American Judges Association, the Nevada District Court Judges Association, the Nevada Supreme Court's Committees on Public Trust and Confidence, Hispanics in Politics, among others. Valorie was honored with the 1992 "Women of Achievement Award" from Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and recognized by the Latin Chamber of Commerce as the "Hispanic of the Year" in 1995.*2 Vice President Valorie Vega is married, has one child and has been a resident of Southern Nevada since 1978.*3

A celebration Dinner Party was held by President Dr. Tony Lei of WBTI to welcome Drs. Mark Denton and Valorie Vega as Vice Presidents of the Institute on December 8, 2003 at the Steak House of Binion's Horseshoe Club in Las Vegas. "Washington Business and Technology Institute has contributed already very much to help improve the quality of life of all our residents and visitors of Nevada since its establishment on January 8, 1996. As one of the Vice President of this Institute, I'm challenged to integrate my best knowledge and professionalism for its development and prosperity . I'm very appreciative to have this position appointed by Dr. Tony Lei, since it will undoubtedly provide me with avenues for exploring improvements in public and community services to which I'm most dedicated. Encouraged by the steadily increasing value of the faculty and advisory members of WBTI, we need to put more effort and wisdom into realizing the affirmation and creed of this Institute for our people, community, and country," said Dr. Valorie Vega excitedly in the celebration Party at the 26th floor of the Club with a vivid bird's-eye view of the splendid and elegant night scene of Las Vegas.

The present organization of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) has been featured for the desire to excel by the outstanding professionals of the followings: Governor Kenny Guinn, Chairman; U. S. Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Vice Chairmen; U. S. Representatives James Gibbons and Shelley Berkley, and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Executive Directors of the Advisory Board. U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Chairperson; Dr. Tony T. Lei, President; District Judges Drs. Mark R. Denton and Valorie J. Vega, Vice Presidents; Dr. William N. Thompson, Director of Public Administration Institution, Drs. E. Lee Bernick and G. Keong Leong, Deans of Graduate School of Business and Public Administration; Dr. Sue Fawn Chung, Director of Culture Institution; Justice of the Supreme Court William Maupin, Attorney General Brian Sandoval, and District Judge Stewart Bell, Honorary Chairmen of Clark County District Attorney and Police Civil Commission (CCDAPCC); District Attorney David Roger and Sheriff Bill Young, Chairmen of CCDAPCC.*4

The above list of leaders and officers of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) was announced and installed also by Judge Mark Denton, District Judge of Nevada, at the Dinner Party held by WBTI at the Binion's Horseshoe Club on December 8, 2003 in Las Vegas.

"It's very impressive and elegant! I recognizes what John Keats said about 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever,' by beeing the vistor's number at #37,777 of the WBTI website. It is brought to you by 'Las Vegas Review-Journal' and lasvegs.com," said Judge Valorie Vaga, District Judge of Nevada, on December 9, 2003 in Las Vegas.

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