Eddie Wong takes over the effort to convert the immigration station – often called the Ellis Island of the West – to a place where visitors can learn about the history of immigration to the western United States.

“I’m delighted to be the new executive director, particularly since my own father passed through the immigration station as an immigrant to the United States in 1928,” said Wong, 57. “The preservation and restoration of the Angel Island Immigration Station will allow the site to take its rightful place as one of America’s most important historic landmarks.”

The barracks are undergoing a $15 million restoration and there are plans to reopen them to the public in the spring of 2009, complete with interpretive exhibits.

This isn’t huge news by any means, but we here at Left Watch always try to keep an eye on the movements of those heavily involved in the far left money machine.

Wong previously served as a media and social justice investment consultant to the Democracy Alliance, a network of progressive donors. He was also the executive director of the National Asian American Telecommunications Association from 1996 to 2006. Prior to that, he worked as the western regional director of the National Rainbow Coalition.