[[[A friend is someone who concerned with everything you do.
A friend is someone to call upon during good and bad times.
A friend is someone who understands whatever you do.
A friend is someone who knows what you are going through at all times.
A friend is someone who does not compete with you.
A friend is someone who is genuinely happy for you when things go well.
A friend is someone who tries to cheer you up when things don't go well.
A friend is an extension of yourself without which you are not complete.
Thank you for being my friend!!!

--Susan Polis Achultz]]]

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Starting from July 4th, Independence Day, to 8th were a long holiday season for casinos and tourist industries in Las Vegas. Numerious visitors were crowding to here, yet Tunghai University had brought good conference and reunion news for Chinese American academic community of Nevada.

On July 6, 2001, gathering to Las Vegas had been the directors and membes of Tunghai Endowment Fund for Academic Advancement (TEFA) and 12 - 13th classes of Tunghai Reunion. VIPs of ten individuals including Dr. Kang-pei Wang, President of Tunghai University, Mr. Bridge I-yu Teng, Executive Director of TEFA, were invited by Dr. Tony T. Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) to have champagne and delicious foods dinner at Gee Joon Chinese Restaurant of Horseshoe Casino and Hotel. Dr. and Mrs. Tony T. Lei were the hosts. Representative Gerri Schroder of U.S. Congresswoman Shelley Berkley brought the achievement certificates to TEFA and CAAAN by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to the dinner party. TEFA returned with the best Taiwanese box of tea to Shelley. After the pleasent and rich dinner, all the party group were treated to enjoy the famous show "Naked Angeles" by Dr. and Mrs. Lei.*2

On the 7th of July, a Welcome Tea Party was held by Dr. Tony T. Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI) and Chairman of Chinese American Academic Association of Nevada (CAAAN) and and his wife Mrs. Judy K. Lei. It was held for the celebrating of the incorperation of TEFA USA and the Global Tunghai Reunion in Las Vegas.

In the conference, Dr. Tony T. Lei expressed sincerely and heartily the welcome in his short speech to both the Corperation and Reunion. He then introduced Theresa Malone, Member of the Nevada Board of Education, and Denise Brodsky, Las Vegas School Board of Trustees to deliver their welcome speeches.

Malone spoke for U. S. Senator Harry Reid's welcome to the Conference and announced Reid's certificates of commendation to TEFA and CAAAN. "Yet, with our differences we have a goal that is the same: to provide many opportunities for our citizens to learn and develop their knowledge, skill, mind, and character by formal schoolling," Malone said. "With support of organizations as the Tunghai Endowment Fund for Academic Advancement, and the Washington Business and Technology Institute, but most importantly You, we will fulfill our goal to promote opportunities for education. On behalf of the Nevada education community, thanks you for sharing your time and goals with us," she added.*3

Brodsky announced in her welcome speech that Congresswoman Berkley was giving TEFA and CAAAN each a certificate of commendation. She recognized that Mayor, WBTI, among others are sharing their same legacy to include building Las Vegas a community where future generations will have even more opportunities and advantages to live a prosperous life.

The highlight of the tea party at Bellagio was the Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Shelley Berkley presented through Malone and Brodsky to TEFA and CAAAN. On behalf of the TEFA, Chairman Wu and President Wang of Tunghai University received the Certificate. Dr. Lei also received the Award for CAAAN from Berkley. Thunders of applause from all the guests and participants brought a climax of this event in the Conference Room of Renoir 2 during the presentation of the awards. Chairman Wu gave a thanks speech to appreciate Senator Reid, Congresswoman Berkley, and Chairman Dr. Lei. for their hospitable welcome and supports. He was acknowledged the invitation by Reid to meet the Senator through Dr. Lei. President Dr. Tony T. Lei of WBTI, Chairman of CAN-DO Dr. Prabhu, among others were going to hold a significant theme party and dinner in August for Reid in congratulating his being the Majoity Whip of U. S. Senate.

Dr. Kang-pei Wang, President of Tunghai University, was also invited to give a speech. He thanked the nice welcome and supports by the Washington, D.C. Scene, Nevada State, Las Vegas City, and Clark County. Acknowledgement was that this has been one inspired revelation that Dr. Tony Lei's long years of honest and excellent efforts to coummunity service in Nevada have been significant and fruitful. He said that Tunghai University is a developed university with many departments, graduate schools, and colleges. The diligent attitude of teaching by professors and the concrete research accomplishment of the graduate schools have launching this University to one of the famous educatonal institutions in the world. He also welcomed all Nevadans come to visit Taiwan and Tunghai University.

U. S. Senior Senator of Nevada Harry Reid, the second greatest and powerful character (now Majority Leader) of the Senate in Washington D. C., gave a Certificate of Commendation of the U. S. Senate to Chinese American Academic Association of Nevada (CAAAN). It gave credit to CAAAN for "In Recognition of Your Outstanding Support and Contribution to the TEFA and Global Tunghai Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada." Dr. Tony T. Lei, Chairman of CAAAN and his wife Judy received the award in the Senator Reid's Office on July 16, 2001. TEFA also received a certificate because of "In Recognition of Your Outstanding Accomplishment to the Academic Advancement and International Cooperation in Education" from the Senator.

The Office of Senator Reid in Washington D. C. faxed Dr. Tony Lei, President of Washington Business and Technology Institute(WBTI) its "WHIP ROUND-UP". It told Tony that famous for Harry's ability to lead important negotiations while avoiding the media spotlight, Majority Whip Reid's day of keeping a low profile may be over. "The Washington Post" and "Time Magazine" touted Senator Reid's influence last week. The latter quoted GOP Senator John Ensign as saying: "If Republicans want something, they go to Harry. He represents things fairly. He won't over-promise and underdeliver."

Senator Reid graduated from Utah State University in 1961. He received his Juris Doctoral Degree from George Washington University. In 1968, he was elected to Nevada State Assembly at the age of 28. After two years, he was elected as Nevada's youngest legislator in the state's history. In 1977, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission. In 1983, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. After having served two terms in the House, he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980. On April 10, 1998, he was honored as Advisor and Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board of Washington Business and Technology Institute. In December of 1998, after returning for his third term in the U.S. Senate, he was unaimously elected by his Democratic colleagues to serve as the Assistant Minority Leader. He was the Assistant Democratic Leader and Majority Whip of the U.S. Senate in Washington D. C. (now the Majority Leader of U. S. Senate).*4

Senator Reid comes from Searchlight, Nevada, where in that rural mining town he learned the fundamental values of hard work and honesty that endure as his guiding principles. The Nevada's Senior Senator was raised in a small cabin without indoor pluming and attended a two-room elementary school. His father was a hardrock miner with an 8th grade education, and his mother never finished high school, but the youngest of Harry and Inez Reid's four sons would go on to achieve the American dream.

"Senator Reid loves heartily this country and our people. His leadership is accentuated with practical knowledge and deligent effort through his intelligence. He has achieved many years accomplishment to improve the quality of life of all Nevadans and help people realize the American Dream," said Dr. Tony Lei in my feature article entitled "Senator Harry Reid has been awarded 'Outstanding Democrat of the Decade'" on October 26, 2000.*5

"On behalf of Washington Business and Technology Institute, I'm glad to be one of the Chairmen of this Event and Dinner Party for a Special Tribute to U. S. Senator Harry Reid. Following a successful tribute party to Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Becker, this Event is an united efforts of all our Asian American community. Thanks to Dr. Raj Chanderraj, Dr. R. D. Prabha, Mr. Toni Sison, Ms. Rita Vaswani to join me as Chairpersons. Thanks to all our guests of honor, special guests, hosts, guests, and participants. Thanks Dr. Peter Lok as our good Coordinator and Nancy Diaz to initiate this event with me. Finnally, we, Asian Americans have put all our effort and wisdom together to have this Special Tribute to our U. S. Senator Harry Reid, Because Harry is our great hero to build a community where this and future generations will have more opportunities and advantages to live a prosperous life," spoke President Dr. Tony Lei of Washington Business and Technology Institute, Chairman of the Event and Dinner Party which was held by Asian American Community on August 24, 2001 at Asia Palace Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Harry loves heartily our country, our people, and our community. He wishes us to enjoy working together. "United we stand, devided we fall. Together we can GROW (Go Reach Our World). Knowledge calls, ultimately, for a life of service. We should continue to work for the prosperity and healthy of our society more diligently, effectively, and wisely," said President Dr. Tony T. Lei of Washington Business and Technology Institute (WBTI).*6

"Asian Pacific American have made profound contributions to American life, including the arts, economy, education, science, technology, politics, and sport. This community was here to help build trascontinental railroad, to serve in the Civil War, and to develop the latest Internet technology. I'm pleased to assure all you leaders of the community here today that I'll continue working to preserve and advance the heritage and value of Asian Americans. I'll put my effort to reach out and address issues of importance to the Asian American community, including the economy, education, safety, racial profiling, and hate crime, and immigration, among others. I'd like also to show my appreciation of all your accomplishments and contributions to the American way of life and your oustanding participation in the political, business , and educational processes. It's my pleasure to accept the honor as Professor of Administrative Strategies of the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration of Washington Business and Technology Institute," said Harry Reid, U.S. Senator and Assistant Democratic Leader (now the Majority Leader) of the U.S. Senate at Asian American Leaders Tea with United States Senator Harry Reid on May 31, 2003 at Korean Garden BBQ House in Las Vegas!*7

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