The Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation
2008 Scholarship Award Announcement

The Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded by my family in 2004.

My wife, Lucy and I immigrated to the United States in 1974, and we have lived in Cerritos for over 30 years. Our three children, Andy, Tony, and Jia, were educated in the ABC Unified School District schools, graduated from local universities, and all are practicing attorneys. The community has given so much to us, and we are truly grateful.

We wish to help others in the community as we have been helped in the past. We established our foundation to give more educational opportunities to eligible students and to help improve their futures. Presently, our Foundation grants scholarships to high school and college students.

In 2006 and 2007, the Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation awarded 36 students with scholarships. It was a wonderful beginning for our foundation and we were truly encouraged by the community’s support.

This year, we will award scholarships to 10 high school students ($500.00) and 5 college students ($1,000.00). Applications for the scholarships will be due on June 30, 2008. We would like to ask you to encourage students who you know well to apply for the scholarship.

Thank you.

Sincerely

Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Co-chairperson
The Lucy and Joseph Cho Foundation

The City of Cerritos has gained national recognition through two highly competitive and prestigious awards programs: the National Civic League’s All-America City Awards and the United States Conference of Mayors 2008 City Livability Awards. Cerritos was selected as one of 16 finalists based on the positive results of the three successful community endeavors: the Vantage Cerritos (formerly Avalon at Cerritos), Festival of Friendship and S.P.I.C.E. (Seniors Personally Involved with Children’s Enrichment) programs.

Since 1949, the All-America City Awards, America’s oldest and most prestigious community recognition programs, has honored communities where citizens, government, business and voluntary organizations work together to address critical local issues. The 59th Annual All-America Award event will be held on June 4-8, 2008 in Tampa, Florida and the 76th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors will be held on June 20-24, 2008 in Miami, Florida.

The City of Cerritos also was honored with an award of merit for its Business Retention and Expansion Program by the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED). The City of Cerritos’ BRE program is a proactive business outreach program that promotes economic growth in the city and was developed as an element of the Cerritos Economic Development Strategic Plan

Korean-American Elected Officials Coalition
Support the Korea-USA Free Trade Agreement

On March 21, 2008, 10 Korean-American Elected Officials showed support for the Korea-USA Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in Los Angeles.

They were Washington State Senator Paul Shin, Oregon State Representative John Lim, California State Board of Equalization Member Michelle Park Steel, City of Edison (NJ) Mayor Jun H. Choi, City of Irvine (CA) Mayor Pro Tem, Sukhee Kang, Councilman Steven Choi, City of Boston (MA) Councilman Sam Yoon, City of Federal Way (WA) Councilman Michael Y. Park, City of Leonia (NJ) Councilman Philip Y. Choi and City of Cerritos (CA) Councilman Joseph Cho, Ph.D.

This was officially the first-ever event where Korean-American elected officials got together and established the Korean-American Elected Officials Coalition. KAEOC will be a conduit to keep all Korean American Elected Officials in touch and networking. This will be a great opportunity for Korean-American politicians across the nation to network and form a circle of friendship. (Left Photo: KA Elected Officials hold the KORUS FTA resolution, Right Photo: KAEOC members & seminar attendees)

YEAH presented Certificate to the City of Cerritos and Joseph Cho Received the Appreciation Award

On March 27, 2008, the Young Empowered Advocates for Health (YEAH) and Cerritos Smoke Free Coalition presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Cerritos City Council for adopting the Tobacco Retailer License Ordinance and Smoke Free Ordinance at Cerritos Iron-Wood Nine Golf Course. The Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) presented an Appreciation Award to Joseph Cho in recognition of his successfully championing the prevention of youth access to tobacco in the City of Cerritos through the TRL Ordinance. The March issue of the Rice Paper, a monthly magazine of AADAP printed a full page article that described Joseph Cho as the champion of the TRL Ordinance. (Left Photo: City of Cerritos Mayor Jim Edwards with Council, YEAH and CSFC members, Right Photo: Councilman Joseph Cho with AADAP Community organizers)
 

Joseph Cho Proposed the Green Cerritos Master Plan

At the Council meeting on March 27, 2008, Joseph Cho asked the Staff to research and to prepare a draft of a Plan for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant authorized in the Energy Independence Act of 2007 signed by President George W. Bush last year. Joseph Cho said “I am proud that we are the pioneers of the reclaimed water system and that we are starting the comprehensive recycling program. I feel that we can be champions of the Green City fighting against global warming. We should have the Green Cerritos Master Plan to reduce energy consumption and save resources for our future generations.”

Staff reported the Neighborhood Park Improvement Plan

As a response to Joseph Cho’s proposal for a Neighborhood Park Improvement plan at the January Council meeting, the Staff reported to the Parks and Recreation Commission that walking paths become increasingly prevalent in local parks and recreation facilities and they provide a low-impact exercise option for residents. A five-year plan has been developed for the installation of walking paths at five parks: Ecology, Reservoir Hill, Saddleback, Satellite and Westgate Park. The Public Works Department further proposed the installation at Westgate Park for fiscal year 2008-2009.

Joseph Cho’s Upcoming Events