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New York Chinatown's Street Renamed to Honor Chinese American 9/11 Hero

September 12, 2004. Xinhua News Agency

A street in New York's Chinatown was renamed "Zhe Zack Zeng Way" on Saturday in honor of Zack Zeng, a Chinese American who sacrificed his life to rescue other victims during the Sept. 11 terror attack in 2001.

At a renaming ceremony in an intersection of Chinatown, New York City Council member Allan Gerson said the street renaming creates a visible tribute that will remind younger generations the years of the inspiring heroism and humanity displayed by so many New Yorkers and exemplified by the brave actions of Zeng on Sept. 11, 2001.

Another Council member John Liu said Zeng epitomizes the heroism and sacrifice of Sept. 11. "The people of New York offer this small token of our appreciation for Zack's bravery that day. While we cannot bring him back to life, Zack's memory will live on and hopefully inspire others by his selfless example," he added.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Liu Biwei, consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in New York, said Zeng is the pride of both the Americans and the Chinese. His name will for ever leave its mark in New York's Chinatown and live in people's hearts. The renaming of the street on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attack is highly significant in that it came as a recognition of Zeng's heroic deeds and serves as a witness of Chinese Americans' contribution to the United States.

Zeng's mother, Cen Jiaoxian, thanked those who helped her tide over the difficult time of her bereavement and make the renaming possible. She said her son's actions testified to the fact that immigrants are willing and able to contribute to their new country and even dedicate their lives. She said she hoped Zeng's selfless devotion to others will inspire younger generations to work for a better world.

Zeng, an immigrant from China's Guangdong Province, came to the United States in the late 1980s. After graduating from the University of Rochester with an MBA in 1998, he began working in the Bank of New York, which is two blocks from the World Trade Center. On Sept. 11, 2001, he risked his life by assisting a firefighter in helping two injured women and later he returned to the scene which was filmed by chance by Fox 5 TV channel.

Several months later, the New York police informed Zeng's mother that part of her son's remains had been recovered from the ruins and identified through a DNA test.

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Copyright 2004 Xinhua News Agency.


C.B. 3 approves 2 street co-namings

December 24-30, 2003. The Villager.

Community Board 3 approved two street co-namings at its full board meeting last week. Proposed by Asian Americans for Equality and supported by Councilmember Alan Gerson, Allen St. will be co-named ''Avenue of the Immigrants'' in honor of its having been a ''gateway for immigrants to the United States.'' Andrea Diaz, a C.B. 3 member who lives on Allen St., opposed the renaming, contending that the street has been known simply as Allen St. as long as anyone can remember and that residents didn’t support the co-naming, but she failed to gain support. Also, the board approved Bayard St. between Baxter and Mulberry Sts. being co-named ''Zhe 'Zack' Zeng Way,'' in memory of Zhe ''Zack'' Zeng, 30, a Seward Park High School graduate, Bank of New York employee and former E.M.T., who died at the World Trade Center on 9/11 after gathering first-aid kits and rendering aid to injured civilians.

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Copyright 2004 Community Media LLC.


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