NEW YORK: The Fourth Conglomeration of fourteen Asian countries in America – the Asian American Coalition USA – has inducted seven outstanding Americans to the AAC USA Hall of Fame Awards for the second time in 2010 in New York.
President and founder of the Coalition Dr. Parveen Chopra who is himself recipient of several prestigious awards for public service, said the Hall of Fame Awards were created because the “Americans have recognized and honored the work of so many outstanding Asians we felt obliged to honor and induct outstanding Americans for their national and international contributions on a national Asian platform. We appreciate what other great Americans have done for us and new we want to do the same in a mutually appreciative way.”
The AAC USA 2010 Hall of Fame inductees included a galaxy of stars who have done very distinguished work not only in America but also internationally. They include:
Edward P. Mangano (USA), Nassau County Executive since 2010; served as Nassau County Legislator for 17th Legislative District for seven terms; created more than 15,000 jobs and cut down $22 million in taxes in the very first 100 days in office.
Justice Daniel Palmieri (USA), Judge in Nassau County Court and Acting Justice of the New York Supreme Court presiding over civil and criminal cases.
John T. Ma (China), an academic and researcher at public libraries and universities like Columbia, NYU, New York Public Library, Nanjing Univ., Chanchun Univ. Tamakang Univ., East China Normal Univ., etc. He is also Advisor to Foreign Language and Teaching Research Press, Beijing, China and other countries; President, Books-for-China Fund, Flushing, New York; and President, US-China Cultural and Economic Council, New York.
Dr. Panchapakesa Jayaraman (India), Founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA in New York City. He had organized the eighth World Hindi conference at the United Nations in partnership with Government of India; authored 16 books in several languages and is a Padma Shri awardee of the Government of India (2009).
Imam Shamsi Ali (Indonesia), Chairman of Indonesian Muslim Community in New York and Imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of New York; Board Member of many inter faith organizations. He founded Universal Clergy Coalition International; attended White House interfaith discussion in 2007; was appointed “Ambassador for Peace” by International Religious Federation in 2002.
Dr. Binod P. Shah (Nepal), Asst. Prof. of Rehabilitation Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He helps under served Americans in Bronx, Queens and upstate New York, and the underprivileged in Nepal.
Dr. Ping-Heng Chen, (Taiwan) Earned Ph.D. in music education in Japan and worked as a professor of music at the Taichung Teachers College. His major accomplishments include performances with the Taiwan Center Chorus and Tenafly Singers at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center and at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center several times.
Tom Dinapoli, Comptroller for the State of New York while addressing the Hall of fame 2010 inductees, leaders of fourteen Asian countries and cultural groups present representing Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Taiwan, commended the Coalition for acting as a strong foundation of cultural and ethnic identity. He said, “Your commitment to nurturing relationships and promoting understanding among diverse cultural groups is admirable and serves as an example to us all.”
New York State Governor David A. Paterson said, “Since its founding, the Coalition also has been committed to increasing the visibility of Asian American communities across this state and nation by fostering the positive development of Asian culture and identity, and strengthening relations with other communities and countries. In providing a voice for the entire Asian population, you cultivate greater understanding and appreciation of your shared heritage.”
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said, “I commend AACUSA for ensuring that hard-working people of many different backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their dreams here in the United States.”
United States Senator Charles E. Schumer said, “Since its founding the AAC has dedicated itself to promoting the social, cultural, and entrepreneurial endeavors of the Asian-American community in New York and around the country. Through working with government officials, local agencies, and community groups the AAC has improved the quality of life for many New Yorkers. I applaud and commitment and dedication the Asian American Coalition has provided to the Asian-American community and New York.”
The cultural program that followed had stars from various countries performing on the same stage.
India Post News Service
