Approximately 100 Houstonians attended a special reception Tuesday to launch a national exhibit of privately owned World War II artifacts commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in 1945. Hundreds of WWII relics owned by California businessman John Fu are included in the exhibit, open for public display through July 17 at the University.

Presented by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Foundation of North America - and co-sponsored by UHD and the Oversees Community Affairs Council of the Republic of China - the exhibit includes historical documents and photos highlighting the collaboration between the U.S. and Republic of China against the invasion of Japan in WWII.

Several legislators and city leaders were among the crowd, including State Representative Gene Wu; Louis M. Huang, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO); City Councilman Richard Nguyen; John Fu, president of De Peng Foundation and private owner of the exhibit artifacts; and Cecilia Chang, president of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Foundation of North America.

UHD's own Dr. Michael Dressman was the keynote speaker for the evening. President Bill Flores, Dean Leigh Van Horn, and Criminal Justice Department Chair Barbara Belbot delivered opening remarks for the evening. Fu delivered a moving address about his motivations for assembling the exhibition, which will tour U.S. military bases throughout the nation.