User:Rchinn us

Walter Yin Chinn(born April 21, 1923) is an honored community leader, Asian cultural ground breaker, retired businessman and World War II aircraft mechanic.

Biography
Walter Chinn was born on April 21, 1923 in Oakland, California to Harry Chinn and Chew Gem Ping.

Chinn attended Prescott Elementary, Prescott Jr. High, Oakland Technical High School all in Oakland, California. Upon high school graduation, Chinn attended San Francisco City College where he studied courses such as ______.

At the start of World War II, the US government was beginning to draft soldiers and sailors. Chinn thought he could be most useful to the war effort by helping to maintain Pan Am'sChina Clipper airplane. He attended Curtiss Wright Technical Institute in Glendale, CA and began working as an aircraft mechanic on Treasure Island Air Station.

Chinn married Mildred Lucille Chinn on July xx, 1957 in at the Oakland Presbyterian Church in Chinatown. Walter and Mildred Chinn had two children, Deborah (born June 18, 1958) and Randall (born November 24, 1962). Deborah Chinn married Patrick Murray on XXXX, 1983 and Randall Chinn married Claire Burke on August 19, 1989. Chinn has 5 grandchildren, Sean Murray (born December 23, 1991), Marina Chinn (September 24, 1992), Colin Murray (November 4, 1992), Justine Chinn (January 19, 1995) and Analese Chinn (May 17, 1998).

Prior to the Civil Rights Movement which began to take shape in 1950, it was difficult to Asian Americans to have significant roles in American business and government. This was in large part due to the racial tensions formed through the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, barring immigration for ten years; the Geary Act extended the act for another ten years in 1892, and by the Extension Act of 1904, the act was made permanent until 1943.

Chinn was the first non-Caucasian store manager of a non-minority owned national chain store in the country, Payless Drug Stores. Ultimately Chinn became the Area Supervisor of twelve stores with an annual sales revenue of $350,000,000. Chinn spent XXX years at Payless Drug Stores.

Upon Chinn's retirement business he began his second career in city government and community organizations. Insert accomplishments here.

Walter celebrated his 80th birthday party at Ruby Hill Golf Club.

Education

 * Oakland Unified School District : Prescott Elementary, Prescott Jr. High, Oakland Technical High School
 * San Francisco City College
 * Curtiss Wright Technical Institute, Glendale,CA.

World War II
US Naval Reserve 1942-45
 * US Naval Air Transport Service/ Pan American World Airway

Payless Drug Stores

 * Oakland Payless Drug Stores 1952 --1983
 * Store manager 20 years. 1963 -1983
 * First non Caucasian store manager of a non minority owned national chain store in the country
 * Area Supervisor - 12 stores,  Annual sales of $350,000,000
 * Buyer
 * Corporate trainer

Oakland City Government

 * Oakland City Commissioner, Housing Advisory and Appeals Board
 * Administrative Assistant to Vice Mayor, Oakland City Council 1983 -1990

Co-founder of Community Organizations

 * Co-founder and Board Member OPD Asian Advisory Committee on Crime
 * Co-founder and Advisor Oakland Police Department Asian Youth Committee Services (AYSC)
 * Co-founder of The Oakland Asian Cultural Center,
 * Co-founder of Oakland Police Department Chinatown Police Station

Oakland Community Organizations

 * Member of the Board of Directors,Oakland Summit Medical Center
 * Member of the Board of Directors,Merritt Peralta Hospital
 * Member of the Board of Directors, Oakland Ethnic Day Parade
 * Member of the Board of Directors, Albert Brown Mortuary
 * Member of the Board of Directors, Elmhurst Annual Parade
 * Member of the Board of Directors, Gee How Oak Tin Association
 * Asst. Executive Director Oakland Ethnic Day Parade
 * Board Shoong Family Chinese Cultural Center (SFCCC)

AACC
Asian Advisory Committee on Crime (AACC)Asian Advisory Committee on Crime
 * This was the first successful Community Policing Program in Oakland, CA.
 * The program was the subject of five (5) national and statewide conferences
 * Board OPD Asian Advisory Committee on Crime (AACC)

Wa Sun Service Club

 * Board Wa Sung Community Service Club1964-1995
 * Wa Sung Community Service Club President 1988

Honors
Resolution Awards: A Resolution is the highest honor that can be bestowed for civil service. Follow by Proclamation, Commendation and Special Awards.  Resolutions  Commendation
 * California Legislature Assembly, State of California
 * Board of Supervisors, Alameda County Supervisors
 * City Council, City of Oakland
 * Oakland Police Department Asian Advisory Committee on Crime
 * Oakland Summit Medical Center
 * Merritt Peralta Hospital
 * East Bay Vietnamese Association
 * Alameda County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award
 * United States Senate Certificate of Commendation
 * Oakland Police DepartmentGold Badge
 * Wa Sung Community Service ClubMember of the Year 1989