On December 12, 2025, the Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club was proud to help organize a moving tribute to Mayor Edwin M. Lee at San Francisco City Hall. Held on the eighth anniversary of his passing, family, friends, former staff, and civic leaders gathered to unveil a bust honoring San Francisco’s first Asian American mayor.
A Moment of Pride and Reflection
The ceremony drew an overflow crowd to City Hall’s North Light Court. Mayor Lee’s 100-year-old mother Pansy, his wife Anita, and daughters Tania and Brianna were joined by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, current San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, former Mayors Willie Brown, Art Agnos, and London Breed, and dozens of other civic leaders.
City Administrator Carmen Chu opened the ceremony by noting how timely this tribute felt: “It arrives at a time when our city and our country are searching for reminders of who we can be when we choose community over division.”
A Life Dedicated to Service
Before becoming mayor, Ed Lee spent decades serving San Francisco. He worked as a civil rights attorney at the Asian Law Caucus, led the Human Rights Commission and Department of Public Works, and served as City Administrator. He knew city government inside and out.
Speaker Pelosi captured his unique qualifications: “If you had said we are going to create a person with credentials that will make him perfect to be the mayor of San Francisco, you could not have done better than the credentials that Ed Lee brought to the office.”
Mayor Willie Brown remembered Lee’s dedication: “Ed Lee was such a great servant to this city in every way. He loved the city like you would not believe.”
Opening Doors for Everyone
Mayor Lee’s election in 2011 was historic for the Asian American community. For the first time, San Francisco’s Chinese community saw themselves represented in the mayor’s office. His leadership inspired young people across the city and showed that representation matters.
Anni Chung, Executive Director of Self-Help for the Elderly, shared a personal memory: “Whenever he came to visit many of us in Chinatown, a simple walk would take an hour because everyone on the street would come out of their shops and restaurants to say hello to Ed and then Ed would give them his magical smile.”
Major Accomplishments
During his tenure from 2011-2017, Mayor Lee:
- Led San Francisco out of the Great Recession, adding 145,000 jobs
- Built or rehabilitated nearly 19,000 homes, including thousands of affordable units
- Increased homeless funding by 75% and created the Navigation Center model
- Made historic investments in transportation, public safety, and infrastructure
- Raised the minimum wage to $15/hour
- Created pathways to citizenship for 8,500 residents
Mayor Daniel Lurie reflected on Lee’s impact: “Working alongside him, I saw how genuine he was, how hard he worked and how deeply he cared for our city. That is something I will never forget.”
His Smile Greets Visitors
The bust, created by artists Jonah Hendrickson and Deborah Samia, captures Mayor Lee’s warmth and optimism. Below it reads: “There is no limit to the success and potential of this extraordinary city if we keep the door of opportunity open to every San Franciscan.”
Tania Lee spoke about what her father’s legacy means: “His smile lit up a room, his laughter eased our tension, and his passion for community inspired us all. Now as his smile greets everyone who enters city hall, may it remind us that his work continues in each of us.”
Continuing His Legacy
The Ed Lee Democratic Club is honored to have helped organize this celebration. Through the Edwin M. Lee Community Fund and the Ed Lee Memorial Fund, over $800,000 has been distributed to support housing initiatives, immigrant communities, climate justice, and racial equity.
Watch the full ceremony on YouTube.
Mayor Lee lived by a simple motto: “Live your lives boldly and keep the door open for others!” Join us in carrying forward his legacy of service, inclusion, and hope for all San Franciscans.
Special thanks to Mayor Daniel Lurie and his team, Eric Tao, Dorka Keehn, artists Jonah Hendrickson, Deborah Samia, Oleg Lobykin, Selina Sun, former staff and all who made this tribute possible. Most of all, we thank the Lee family for sharing Mayor Lee with San Francisco, and we will continue to honor his legacy by continuing his work and opening the door for others.
Photos by Horatio Jung and Philip Vy