Presidential Proclamation presented to Massachusetts Asian American Commission
Month long celebrations of the Asian American Heritage Month , which is the month of May were topped off by the reading and presentation of President Bush’s proclomation declaring May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at the State House. The proclamation was obtained and presented by Kumu Gupta, who is on the Advisory Board of the Asian American Commission of the Commonwealth, to Tackey Chan, Vice Chair of the Commission filling in for Neelam Wali, Chair of AAC, who could not be present.
Earlier in the month, on May 2nd 2008, a panel discussion co –sponsored by the Asian American Commission with ACDC (Asian Community Development Corporation) , kicked off the Asian American Heritage Month celebrations at the State House. The event started of with Lt. Governor Tim Murray speaking in support of the Asian Community in the Commonwealth and reading of Governor Patrick's proclamation declaring May as Asian American Heritage month in Massachusetts . State Treasurer, Timothy Cahill was also a guest speaker and talked about the continuous support and importance of Asian Community in the State. Kumu Gupta presented ACDC and AAC with Mayor Menino's citation in support of the celebration, since the Mayor had a prior engagement and could not attend. This was followed by a panel discussion on issues important to the Asian American Community with the back drop of 2008 being a presidential election year. The panelists were Sam Yoon, City Councilor-at-large, Boston ,Tackey Chan, Vice Chair, AAC, Glenn Magpantay, Attorney, Asian American Legal Defence and Education Fund, Kumu Gupta, Vice Chair, Quincy Republican Committee (&Vice Chair Mayor’s Human Rights Commission-Quincy) and Advisory Board, AAC. Jeremy Liu, Executive Director, ACDC was the moderator. The event ended with sampling of Asian Cuisine which was provided by various Asian restaurants in Boston. And on May10th, the Asian American Commission held its 2nd Unity Dinner gala at Sheraton in Boston, celebrating contributions of the Asian American community in the Commonwealth. Among Guest Speakers, at the dinner were, Senator Morrissey, who helped found AAC and Deputy Treasurer Grace Lee. Senator Kennedy send his best wishes to the Commission via a Congratulatory Letter for the program book.
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