Founder of Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)
The Committee of 100 is greatly saddened by the loss of inaugural C-100 member Kung-Lee (K.L.) Wang, who passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2015 at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital in Maryland. K.L. was a civil rights pioneer for Americans of Chinese descent and is best known for his effort and foresight to establish the national Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) in 1973. In 1989, Kung-Lee (K.L.) Wang joined the Committee of 100 and served as its first Executive Director from 1992 – 1995.
Committee of 100 issued the following statement at his funeral:
Committee of 100 members are eternally grateful for K.L. Wang’s monumental contributions to the Committee. In the organization’s early years from 1992 to 1995, K.L. served pro bono as C-100’s first Executive Director. Each week, he commuted from Washington, D.C. to New York to provide assistance to I.M. Pei and other C-100 co-founders to build C-100 into a viable organization. Later in the Committee’s history, K.L. continued to serve as a dedicated member, and his guidance and extensive relationships in the United States and Greater China contributed greatly to the position C-100 enjoys today. With his wisdom, generosity, and passion, K.L.’s memory stands as a major pillar in C-100’s history. It is with a heavy heart and condolence that we share this loss with his family and friends. With sincerest sympathy,
— Committee of 100 members
C100 Members Remember K.L. Wang:
“I remember KL very well. He has always been very supportive during my tenure as the Chair even though he had difficulties moving around, he still steadfastly joined all our events whenever he could. Said very little but was very thoughtful. He will be greatly missed.” ~ John Chen
“KL was indeed a pioneer.” ~ Ken Fong
“We at C100 should all honor K L Wang for his monumental contributions to C100’s early years.” ~Henry Tang
“Such a giving man… He will be missed.” ~ Ming Tsai
