Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 22; Democratic Party

PAUL FONG BIOGRAPHY

For over 30 years, Paul Fong has been a leader in the community, working tirelessly to create change for the betterment of the community. He was elected to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees in 1993, and is currently serving his fourth term. He has served as President of the Board three times, has been a member of the Board's Audit and Finance Committee, and the Foothill-De Anza Foundation Board of Directors. Paul also serves on the board of the California Community Colleges Trustees (CCCT). Paul is also a political science professor at Evergreen Valley College, working with young people and inspiring them to be civic-minded and engaged.

In addition to his work in education, Paul has worked tirelessly on behalf of causes such as business, civil rights, affordable housing, and the environment. He serves on the boards Community Housing Developers (CHD); Sacred Heart Community Services; Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI); California Community College Trustees (CCCT); and the California Community Colleges Asian Pacific American Trustees Association. Additionally Paul has served on the Child and Adolescent Health Commission; Mental Health Advisory Board; Private Industry Council; Human Development Advisory Planning Council, City of Sunnyvale; Chinese Community Center Board of Directors; Chinese American Citizens League; West Valley Chinese Language School; Leadership Sunnyvale; Asian American Parents Association; De Anza Bilingual Center; California Community Colleges Latino Trustees Association; Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara County, and the NAACP.

For his commitment and leadership, Paul has received many awards including: the 2008 Human Relations Award, Santa Clara County; the 2007 Norm Mineta Lifetime Achievement Award; the 2007 APALI Civic Leadership Award, the 2007 Mayor's Award of Excellence, City of Sunnyvale; the 2004 National Campaign for Tolerance, Wall of Tolerance Award, signed by Rosa Parks; the 2006 Asian Academy Hall of Fame Award; the 2005 Father of the Year from the Building Peaceful Families Organization; the 2005 Martin Luther King Good Neighbor Award; the 2002 AACI Leadership Award; the 2001 Jose Rizal Community Hero Award; the 2000 Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award, Evergreen Community College; the 1998 Fremont Union High School Foundation Partners in Life Long Learning Award; the 1998 Fremont Union High School Distinguished Alumnus of the Year; and the 1996 De Anza College Intercultural Division Hall of Fame Inductee amongst many others.

Paul grew up in Sunnyvale, went to public schools K-12, and holds an M.P.A. from San Jose State University as well as a master's in education from the University of San Francisco. He and his wife Grace are third generation owners of YK Fong Nursery, and the Flower Cottage in Sunnyvale. Paul and Grace have three children, Sean, Nicole and Sydney.