Norman Kwong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norman Kwong
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林佐民
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| 16th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office January 20, 2005 – May 11, 2010 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Governor General | Adrienne Clarkson Michaëlle Jean |
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| Premier | Ralph Klein Ed Stelmach |
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| Preceded by | Lois Hole | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Donald Ethell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born |
Kwong Lim Yew
October 24, 1929 Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| Died | September 3, 2016 (aged 86) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| Political party | Progressive Conservative | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse |
Mary Kwong
(m. 1960) |
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Norman Lim Kwong (born Kwong Lim Yew; October 24, 1929 – September 3, 2016) was a famous Canadian. He was a professional Canadian football player. He played for the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Eskimos.
Norman Kwong was also a successful businessman. He was even a part owner of the Calgary Flames hockey team. Later in life, he became a politician. He served as the 16th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta from 2005 to 2010.
His parents were immigrants from China. Norman Kwong was the first professional gridiron football player in Canada with Chinese heritage. He was also the first person of Chinese heritage to be the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Norman Kwong was born in Calgary, Alberta on October 24, 1929. His family had immigrated from China. His father, Charles Lim Kwong, came to Canada in 1907. He had to pay a special "head tax" that was placed on Chinese immigrants at the time.
His mother, Lily Lee, came to Canada with her family in 1912. Their marriage was arranged by their parents. They first lived in British Columbia. However, they moved to Calgary because there was less unfair treatment against Chinese people there.
In Calgary, Charles Kwong was able to open his own business. It was called the Riverside Cash and Carry Store. Norman was the fifth of six children. His family was fortunate to have both parents in Canada. At that time, it was hard for Chinese families to reunite. Many children grew up with only one parent.
Amazing Sports Career
In 1947, a law called the "Chinese Exclusion Act" was removed in Canada. This law had limited Chinese immigration. After this, Chinese Canadians gained more rights. This also opened doors for them in professional sports.
Norman Kwong played Canadian football in high school. Then, he joined the Calgary Stampeders in 1948. He played for them until 1950. After that, he was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos. He played for the Eskimos from 1951 until he retired in 1960.
He was nicknamed the "China Clipper." Norman Kwong was the first Chinese Canadian to play on a professional Canadian football team. He was a strong fullback. In his career, he ran for 9,022 yards and scored 93 touchdowns.
He won the Grey Cup four times with his teams. These wins were in 1948, 1954, 1955, and 1956. He was also named a Western Conference all-star running back. He won the Eddie James Memorial Trophy three times.
Norman Kwong was named the Schenley Most Outstanding Canadian in 1955 and 1956. He was also named Canadian Athlete of the Year in 1955. His achievements led him to be inducted into many Halls of Fame.
He joined the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1969. He was also inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1975. In 2006, he was voted one of the Canadian Football League's Top 50 players of the modern era.
Kwong set a CFL record for the most rushing yards by a Canadian in a season. He ran for 1,437 yards in 1956. This record stood for 56 years!
After his playing career, Norman Kwong became president and general manager of the Calgary Stampeders. This was from 1988 to 1991. He also became a part owner of the Calgary Flames hockey team in 1980. The Flames won the Stanley Cup in 1989. This made him one of only five people whose name is on both the Grey Cup and the Stanley Cup!
Public Service and Leadership
Norman Kwong's fame from sports helped him get involved in politics and government. In 1971, he ran for the Alberta Progressive Conservative party.
In 1988, Kwong became a member of the Order of Canada. This is one of Canada's highest honors. He also led the Canadian Consultative Council on Multiculturalism. This group helps promote different cultures in Canada.
On January 20, 2005, Norman Kwong was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. He took over after Lois Hole passed away. As Lieutenant Governor, he welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to Alberta in June 2005. This visit celebrated Alberta's 100th year in Canadian Confederation.
During a private meeting, the Queen gave Kwong a special honor. It was the insignia of a Knight of Justice in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
Norman Kwong's term as Lieutenant Governor ended on May 11, 2010. He was succeeded by Don Ethell.
Personal Life
Norman Kwong married Mary Lee on March 26, 1960. They had four sons together: Gregory, Bradley, Martin, and Randall.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 3, 2016. He was 86 years old. He was survived by his wife, his four sons, and ten grandchildren.
Honours and Awards
Norman Kwong received many important honours throughout his life:
- He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998.
- He became a Knight of Justice of the Order of St. John in 2005.
- He received the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2005.
- He was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in 1992.
- He received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
- He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
- He was given the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005.
- In 2006, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta.
See Also
- The Honourable David Lam - the first Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia of Chinese heritage.
- The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson - the first Chinese Canadian to be Governor General of Canada.
- Larry Kwong - an NHL hockey player and the first Chinese-Canadian NHL player.
- Peter Ing - a former NHL goaltender.
- Philip S. Lee - a former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.
- Lost Years: A People's Struggle for Justice
Images for kids
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Order of Canada ribbon
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Order of St. John ribbon
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Alberta Order of Excellence ribbon
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125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal ribbon
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Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal ribbon
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Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal ribbon
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Alberta Centennial Medal ribbon
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