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P.C.S. PRESS RELEASE: March 2, 2004
ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO
21st ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
CHICAGO, IL - - The Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) hosted
its 21st Annual Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, February 28,
2004 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. More than 1100 attended. The
Coalition's celebration theme this year was "Strengthen Our Unity."Click
here: Asian American Coalition of Chicago, Dinner Banquet, Asian
American Heritage Month Celebrations
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/index.htm
Every year a different Asian American community takes turn playing host
to Lunar New Year Celebration. This year it was the Thai American
community.
Thai American Association of Illinois, A.M.I.A, Punjabi Cultural Society
of Chicago, Sikh American Heritage Organization, and many other Asian
American organizations and businesses co-sponsored the event.
The event was co-emceed by: Linda Yu, Anchor/Reporter, ABC 7 WLS-TV
News, Nesita Kwan, Anchor and Medical Reporter, NBC 5 Chicago, Joanie
Lum, Reporter, CBS 2 Chicago, Nancy Loo, Morning Anchor, FOX Chicago TV,
Judy Wang, Anchor/Reporter, CLTV News, Ellee Pai Hong, Anchor/Reporter,
NBC 5 Chicago, Eric Horng, Correspondent, ABC News, and Rick O’Dell,
WNUA 95.5 FM.
An event held on this grand of a scale only once a year, Lunar New Year
is traditionally the single largest organized annual event in Chicago's
Asian American community. According to the latest Census, the Asian
Pacific American population in Illinois numbers approximately 428,213,
or 3.4% of the statewide population.
“The political forum during the cocktail hour was a big draw for many
federal, state, and local candidates running in the upcoming March 16
primaries, who got the opportunity to speak to the Asian Americans. U.S.
Senate candidate Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, the only Asian American
candidate,
Click here: Dr. Chirinjeev
Kathuria For Senate
http://www.kathuriaforsenate.com/
also spoke to the audience,” said Rajinder Singh Mago, a
committee member.
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/2004/img/AAN%202.jpg
Numerous dignitaries including the Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn,
Treasurer Judy Baar-Topinka, Secretary Jesse White, and many other local
Mayors and elected officials, media personalities, and the Asian
consular corps attended the festivities.
The keynote address was given by the Thailand’s ambassador to United
States.
The program included a silent auction and exhibit booths set up in the
lobby.
“The entertainment program included dance performances from most of the
participating Asian ethnic communities. On behalf of the Indian American
community P.C.S. presented Punjabi folk dance Bhangra performed by
‘Ghabroo Punjab De’ at this event,” said Mohinderjit Singh Saini,
managing director of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago.
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/2004/img/AAN%207.jpg
The Coalition awarded its 2004 Community Service Awards. Jatinder Singh
Bedi, Executive Editor of the Indian Reporter and World News received
the community service award for Indian Americans, and Dr. Tariq H.
Cheema for the Pakistani Americans.
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/2004/img/AAN%204.jpg
Pan Asian American Ping Tom Memorial Award was awarded to Dr. Nguyen
Hieu, a Vietnamese American educator.
Grand Asian Award, which is periodically presented to a friend of the
Asian Pacific American community of non-Asian descent was given to David
Wilhelm a campaign strategist who helped president Bill Clinton, and
Chicago Mayor Daley get elected.
Friend of Asian American award was given to the Mayor of Palatine Rita
Mullins, which was accepted in her absence by Carol Spizzirri the
founder president of Save A Life Foundation.
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/2004/img/AAN10.jpg
“We are pleased with the response for our 21st Anniversary Celebration,”
said Suchitra Surapiboonchai, 2004 Chair of the Asian American Coalition
of Chicago. “As we enter our third decade of leadership, our community
is stronger than ever. As we face the new challenges of the 21st
Century, let’s keep the momentum going.”
The gavel was transferred to the Vietnamese American community to host
this event next year.
“The 2005 celebration will be at Hyatt O’Hare on Saturday, February 5,
2005,” said Dr. Nguyen Heiu who accepted the gavel as the next year’s
chair of the host community.
http://www.pcschicago.org/aa/2004/img/AAN%205.jpg
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