1. “MyfamilycametotheUnited
States looking for the Ameri-
can Dream like thousands of
families from around the world.
We made our dream reality
in the city of Monterey Park,”
comments Stephen Lam, bu-
sinessman and City Council
candidate. “We were looking
for more freedom, opportunity,
tranquility to grow roots and
create our own familiy.”
The Democrat candidate participates in a non-partisan election to
filloneoffivepositionsintheCouncil.Besideshisbusinesssuccess
Lam has an extensive history as civic leader and is the son of immi-
grant parents from China.
“When I arrived to Monterey Park I had to adapt to a new environ-
ment and culture. Not only American but also Mexican. My family
came from a big city, Hong Kong, and we arrived to Monterey Park
thatformewaslikeasmallvillagewhereeveryoneknowsandhelps
PEOPLE AND CHARACTERS
StephenLam:AstoryofloveandsuccessinMontereyParkStephenLam:AstoryofloveandsuccessinMontereyPark
everybody.
“I had never tasted Mexican food until I came to East L.A. My first
food was a burrito. And I loved it. Mexican food, like Chinese food,
is fresh, healthy and spicy. Here I learned my first words in Spanish:
amigo, colega and muchas gracias,” remembers Lam.
It was a drug war, the appropiation of lands and political changes
that changed the route of the Lam family in China eventually brin-
ging their descendants to California lands.
“One of my great great great grandfathers was governor of the state
of Canton during the Opium War of 1839. Back then Canton was
bigger than California. Upon losing the war, China ceded territory
giving birth to the British protectorate of Hong Kong. This was si-
milar to the division of Baja and Alta California of 1848. That’s why
we already spoke English, we were coming from a European colony
in China.
“To me the United States of America represents freedom of expre-
sion, religion and the press. I am very proud of my American citi-
zenship and all the opportunities my family and I have enjoyed here.
Now it’s my time to contribute more to my community of Monterey
Park from the City Council,” concludes candidate Stephen Lam.