Bill Text: VA HJR178 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Rear Admiral Ming Erh Chang, USN, Ret.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-22 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ178ER) [HJR178 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR178-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Rear Admiral Ming Erh Chang, USN, Ret., of McLean, the first naturalized Asian American to become a flag officer in the United States Navy, died on October 3, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang was born in 1932 in Shanghai, China, and endured the occupation of his city during World War II; his father joined the United States Navy and ultimately relocated to America, where he worked under the U.S. Secretary of Defense; and
WHEREAS, in the post-war period, Ming Chang and his mother also immigrated to the United States to escape the rise of the Chinese Communist Party; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang dreamed of following in his father's footsteps and becoming an officer in the United States Navy, but could not attend the U.S. Naval Academy as he was not yet a citizen; he was encouraged by an Admiral's secretary to instead apply to the secretary's alma mater, The College of William & Mary in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, during his college years, Ming Chang served as a member of the William & Mary Honor Council, the William & Mary Choir, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at William & Mary, Lambda Chi Alpha, and the Order of the White Jacket, which honors student food service workers; and
WHEREAS, in addition to working in the cafeteria, Ming Chang supported himself by working at the college bookstore and at the King's Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang proudly joined the United States Navy in 1958; he distinguished himself through his patriotism, hard work, and dedication to duty and was one of the first officers in history to earn the rank of Admiral after graduating from Officer Candidate School, not the U.S. Naval Academy; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang commanded the USS Rathburne and the USS Reeves, then was selected as the Naval Inspector General, in which capacity he oversaw the investigation of a turret explosion aboard the USS Iowa; and
WHEREAS, having faced and overcome racial discrimination during his military career, Ming Chang led efforts to put an end to hazing in the U.S. Naval Academy after its first class of women was admitted in the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang next served as the chief of staff to Carrier Strike Group Three, chief of staff to the Commander of Third Fleet, and the Commander of Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two; and
WHEREAS, as a Rear Admiral, Ming Chang served as the deputy commander of Weapons and Combat Systems for Naval Sea Systems Command; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang retired from military service in 1992; two of his children followed in his footsteps as officers in the United States Navy, his son, Daniel, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979 and retired after 22 years, and his daughter, Donalda, who served for 11 years; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang continued to achieve success in civilian life as vice president and regional corporate director for what was then known as the Raytheon Company and as President of MEC International; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang was a passionate advocate and mentor for Asian Americans seeking leadership opportunities in the public and private sectors; he cultivated bipartisan cooperation as the first President of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies and helped develop the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, Ming Chang worked with President Bill Clinton on the development and construction of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and played a leading role in the inclusion of the Philippines as one of the pillars in the monument; and
WHEREAS, predeceased by one son, Donald, Ming Chang is fondly remembered and greatly missed by his beloved wife of 61 years, Charlotte; his children, Daniel and Donalda, and their families; and numerous other family members, friends, and fellow veterans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Rear Admiral Ming Erh Chang, USN, Ret., a trailblazing leader in the United States Navy who served the Commonwealth and the nation with honor and integrity; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Rear Admiral Ming Erh Chang, USN, Ret., as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
