Proclamation
WHEREAS, Dr. Darrel Lum, a longtime Cupertino resident and beloved local dentist, moved to Cupertino in the mid-1970s and opened his dental practice on Pacifica Drive near City Hall, where he served generations of Cupertino families with kindness, professionalism, and integrity; and
WHEREAS, Beyond his professional excellence, Dr. Lum devoted his life to civic engagement and grassroots democracy, and
WHEREAS, As Cupertino experienced rapid growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dr.
Lum became a leading voice for citizen participation in local government, working tirelessly to expand public notifications, transparency, and community awareness of proposed developments and planning decisions; and WHEREAS, His dental office became an informal civic classroom, where city plans and project maps adorned the walls and where countless residents—including future community leaders—first learned about the General Plan, the Planning Commission process, and how to engage meaningfully in city decision-making; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lum was instrumental in fostering grassroots organizations such as Concerned Citizens of Cupertino and Better Cupertino, which encouraged residents to study issues, attend public meetings, and advocate respectfully for policies that reflected the community’s voice; and
WHEREAS, Together with his wife, Cherryl, Dr. Lum worked persistently to place referendums and initiatives on the ballot, empowering Cupertino voters to directly shape the city’s future; and
WHEREAS, For over more than 25 years, Dr. Lum’s research, public testimony, and advocacy were characterized by depth, precision, and respect for differing views, and; WHEREAS, Though Dr. Lum passed away in early 2024, his legacy lives on in the vibrant civic spirit of Cupertino, in the generations of residents he mentored, and in the enduring principle that government functions best when citizens are informed and engaged.
THEREFORE, I, Mayor Liang Chao, and the Cupertino City Council do hereby proclaim and recognize December 2, 2025 as
Dr. Darrel Lum Day
In the City of Cupertino, and encourage all residents to honor his remarkable life, his commitment to democracy at the grassroots level, and his lasting contributions to the civic fabric of Cupertino.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Cupertino to be affixed this Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
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The Honorable Liang Chao
Mayor, City of Cupertino