Chicago Coalition Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Chicago IL: The Vietnamese Host Committee held an Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Furama Restaurant, located in Chicago’s famed “Asia on Argyle” neighborhood. Over 160 community leaders and volunteers of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) participated to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.

2013 AACC Chair Doug Nguyen opened the program with reflections on the tremendous accomplishments AAPIs have achieved, “beginning 170 years ago, when Japanese immigrants first set foot on American shores and opened a path for millions more. And in 1869, Chinese workers finished work on the transcontinental railroad after years of backbreaking labor.”

2013 AACC Board President Dr. Nguyen-Trung Hieu expressed his gratitude to the community leaders and volunteers for their collaboration in AACC’s various initiatives that will mutually benefit all Asian American communities. Chair Nguyen followed by thanking Dr. Hieu for his outstanding leadership of the AACC board in laying down the necessary structure and vision for the organization which will last into the next generation.
The attendees viewed a presentation of the AACC’s 30th Annual Lunar New Year Conference and Celebration which took place on February 23, 2013. The Vietnamese American Community was served as the AACC host for the fourth time. This year AACC held a full-day conference that educated and engaged over 3000 attendees. The festivities kicked off with a community health fair, followed by an afternoon business forum and evening gala, to conclude with the “Dancing with the Vietnamese” extravaganza.

The evening also marked the 50th Anniversary of Nghia Sinh International, a humanitarian organization founded in 1963 to promote public welfare and education. Nghia Sinh’s board members and volunteers joined Founder and President Dr. Nguyen-Trung Hieu on stage to cut the 50th birthday cake in commemoration. Dr. Hieu then remained on stage along with Doug Nguyen to distribute appreciation plaques to more than 25 individuals and groups that had contributed to the success of the AACC Lunar New Year Conference and Celebration. Dave Vasudevan from the Indian Community received an appreciation plaque, along with special appreciation from the Chairman and the President of the Vietnamese community, for the commemorative souvenir of over 150 pages that his company Digislate Inc. had designed.

The attendees then enjoyed a delicious 7-course meal served by the dining staff of Furama. The evening concluded with a performance by the Vietnamese Baptist Band and various traditional Karaoke performances by some of the community’s talented singers.

Captions for the Pictures:
(01-DSC_0213.jpg). Dr. Hieu presents Appreciation plaque to Dave Vasudevan, AACC program book designer
(02-DSC_0176.jpg) Dr. Hieu presents Appreciation plaque to Carmen Estacio, IL Secretary of State liaison
(03-DSC_0182.jpg) Dr. Hieu presents Appreciation plaque to 1st AACC Secretary
(04-DSC_0237-X2). Mr. Gene Lee addresses audience (Retired Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard M. Daley)
(05-DSC_0243-X2.jpg) Aurora Abella Austriaco, 1st Asian American president of the Chicago Bar Association
(06-DSC_0257-X2.jpg). Closing prayer