International

GOVERNOR HOLCOMB PROCLAIMS MAY AS ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH

May 04, 2019 10:37 AM

INDIANAPOLIS (BALBIR SINGH)

Indiana Governor Eric J Holcomb proclaimed the Month of May, 2019 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at a function organised by Asian American Alliance at Indiana Statehouse on May 1.

The Proclamation was handed over to Asian American Alliance President Rupal Thakker Thanawala by Indiana Economic Development Corporation president Elaine E. Bedel. Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission Greg Wilson was also present on the occasion.

Anita Hjorth Lerche wrote on Facebook "Wonderful and inspiring kick off celebration today in the State House of Indiana of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2019, which is taking place in May. Proud to be one of the Board of Directors of Asian American Alliance, Inc.. Our President Rupal Thakker Thanawala did an amazing job today. She received the official Proclamation from Elaine E. Bedel."" It was wonderful to see such a nice turnout and very iformative presentation by Elaine Bedel. AAAI meeting and Governor's Proclamation at the Indiana Statehouse was a special moment for the Asian American community and our friends", said renowned artist and interfaith community leader KP Singh.

 
 
 
 
The Proclaimation reads "according to US Census, the Asian population in Indiana has grown by 73 per cent, representing 19 different countries across the Asian continent."The State of Indiana is fortunate to benefit from the contributions made by all Hoosiers of Asian heritage to make Indiana a place of rich cultural diversity and prosperity.

"We are eager to join in the events with Asian American Alliance Inc. and others throughout the entire country, celebrating the culture, traditions and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States."
Young-Hee Yedinak, KP Singh, Yige Li, Anita Hjorth Lerche, Glen Kwok Burmese American Community Institute Inc , Asian American Alliance, Inc. Tenthpin Management Consultants, Indiana Civil Rights Commission Gregory Wilson, Greg Ballard, Raymond Mark Indianapolis Chinese Festival Stan Jacobs Nicole Martinez-LeGrand Di Wang and Raju Chinthala who the dignitaries who atteded the function.

Anita Hjorth Lerche wrote on Facebook "Wonderful and inspiring kick off celebration today in the State House of Indiana of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2019, which is taking place in May. Proud to be one of the Board of Directors of Asian American Alliance, Inc.. Our President Rupal Thakker Thanawala did an amazing job today. She received the official Proclamation from Elaine E. Bedel."

" It was wonderful to see such a nice turnout and very iformative presentation by Elaine Bedel. AAAI meeting and Governor's Proclamation at the Indiana Statehouse was a special moment for the Asian American community and our friends", said renowned artist and interfaith community leader KP Singh.

Former AAAI president Young-Hee Yedinak wrote "Great kickoff of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration with the official proclamation from Governor Eric Holcomb, warm greetings from Gregory Wilson and a wonderful conversation with Elaine Bedel. Kudos to Rupal Thanawala, Asian American Alliance, Inc., for organizing today's event at the Statehouse."

"Members of the Community Outreach and Recruitment Team were happy to participate in today's ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse honoring the beginning of Asian American Heritage Month!" wrote Captain Javed Khan.

Speaking on the occasion Asian American Alliance Board president Rupal Thanawala said Asian American Alliance’s mission is to empower Asian Americans to lead and serve in business community. “We have been focused on serving Asian Americans by integrating them in the community and be the face and voice of them across the state for over 19 years. It all started with a very simple conversation between few friends who saw the gap and wanted to fill the void to develop a next level of Asian Americans leaders who had embraced American citizenship in true spirit while maintaining their heritage and values.

“We have made sincere effort to keep it up and enhance the programs to accommodate the changing demands of our patrons. I am privileged to carry the baton that was passed on to me as a board president few years back. But we are not here alone, by no means this is the event of Asian American Alliance, we could have not it by ourselves and we never wanted to do it either. Look around in the rotunda and you will find your friends from India, China, Burma, Korea, Philippines, Japan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Middle East and so on.

“We are here as a family and stand here on behalf of over 40 nationalities. If you look closely, you will find a teacher, servicemen, lawyer, artist, social worker, grocer, policemen, athlete. …. We are part of this beautiful fabric with vibrant colors.

“ We recently did a research project and learnt that there are over 100 organizations across Indiana who are focused on Asian culture. Asian Americans have been an integral part of the Indiana community for at least a century, but the Asian American Pacific Islander is celebrated since 1992 across all the nation. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Indiana History Society just unveiled an exhibit on Asian Americans which will be open till July 27th. I would highly recommend you visit. “

She extended her sincere gratitude to so many of our Hoosier partners from community. First and foremost, office of Honorable Governor Holcomb and many of the state, city and federal agencies such as Indiana economic development corporation, Indiana Civil Rights Commission, IMPD, office of city of Indianapolis and representative of Mayor Joe Hogsett and so on.

 
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