ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO HOSTS
19th ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
Dr. BIRINDER SINGH MARWAH HONORED
CHICAGO, IL ...More than eleven hundred people attended The
Asian American Coalition of Chicago's 19th Annual Lunar New Year
Celebration, on Saturday, February 2, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency
O'Hare. Lunar New Year is the single largest organized event in
Chicago's Asian Pacific American community, which numbers over
400,000. Each year a different community takes turn hosting the
event, and this year it was the Filipino American community.
This year's theme, "Synergy Through Winds of Change."
Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS), Sikh American
Heritage Organization (SAHO) and Alliance of Midwest India
Associations (AMIA) members constituted the majority of 150
Indian American attendees. DuPage County State's Attorney Joe
Birkett, Mayor of Palatine Rita Mullins, and Elmhurst police
chief John Millner were P.C.S's guests at this event.
Click here: Asian American Coalition of Chicago, Dinner Banquet
photos
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/index.htm
Among numerous dignitaries on hand to share the spirit at the
Gala Dinner were: U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Rod
Blagojavich, State of Illinois Lieutenant Governor Corrine Wood;
State of Illinois Secretary Jesse White; State of Illinois
Attorney General Jim Ryan; State of Illinois Comptroller Dan
Hynes; State of Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka; State of
Illinois Senators Lisa Madigan (D-17th), and Dupage county
State's Attorney Joe Birkett.
This star studded event was emceed by TV Anchors/Reporters Judy
Hsu, ABC 7 WLS-TV News; Nesita Kwan, NBC 5; Kyung Lah, CBS 2
Chicago; Nancy Loo, FOX Chicago TV; Joanie Lum, WGN-TV News;
Anupy Singla, Reporter, Bloomberg News (Airs on WGN-TV News in
Chicago markets); Judy Wang, CLTV News; and Linda Yu,
Anchor/Reporter, ABC 7 WLS-TV News.
Featured as keynote speaker was Helen Zia, a renowned author,
award-winning journalist, who co-authored with Wen Ho Lee, the
just-released book, "My Country Versus Me." She is
also the author of "Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of
an American People."
Dr. Birinder Singh Marwah, a well known Chicago physician, past
president of India Medical Association of Illinois was honored
with the Coalition's Indian American Community Service award,
and Mr. Prem Lalvani, a social worker received the Pan Asian
American Ping Tom Memorial Award. The 13 original founders of
the Asian American Coalition were also honored.
Representatives of the Asian consular corps, and numerous other
city of Chicago, suburban villages, state governmental officers,
business, and community leaders were also in attendance.
A Filipino American dance group performed bamboo dance. Mr.
Jatinder Singh and Mrs. JasSimran Kaur represented the community
by singing American National Anthem.
A wide variety of candidates running for office on March 19
primary elections, took advantage of the open microphone at the
political candidates forum in the lobby during the social hour,
urging the Asian American community to vote for them. Several
exhibit booths were also set up in the lobby.
"Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) is proud to be a
part of the organizing committee and co-sponsor of the Asian
American Coalition events for the last decade," said
Mohinderjit Singh Saini, past president of Punjabi Cultural
Society of Chicago.
"Sikh American Heritage Organization" (SAHO)
participates in Asian American and other American main stream
events to foster fellowship with main stream and other minority
communities," said Mr. Rajinder Singh Mago.
"Visibility through participating in such events will
eventually lead to a greater recognition and political
empowerment for the Asian Americans," said Dr. Birinder
Singh Marwah.
The Indian American community will host the next, year 2003
Asian American Coalition Dinner. In the traditional Turn Over of
the Gavel Ceremony, Chairwoman Lourdes Mon welcomed Rajinder
Singh Mago, Prem Lalvani and Mohinderjit Singh Saini, the
incoming Asian American Coalition of Chicago organizing
committee.
PCS's next event is Vaisakhi cultural celebration "Rangla
Punjab 2002" on
Saturday, March 30, 2002 at Gateway Theatre in Chicago.
Click here: Rangla Punjab 2002
http://www.pcschicago.org/rp/index.htm
For more information
PUNJABI CULTURAL SOCIETY of Chicago
(847) 359-5PCS or (847) 359-5727, Fax: (847) 359-1107
P. O. BOX 1244, PALATINE, IL. 60078
P.C.S. E-mail info@PCSChicago.org
PCS Website: http://www.PCSChicago.org
or Click here: Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago
PCS News Release prepared by:
Rajinder S. Mago
Managing Director, PCS
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