Celebrate Asia Dinner/Reception
By Elnora M. Mercado
May 16, 2001

AT&T Broadband sponsored Celebrate Asia, a dinner/reception, to kick-off the first Asian/Pacific American Community Summit. The event was held at the Donald Seawell Grand Ballroom, Denver Center for Performing Arts on May 13, 2001.

For the first time in Colorado, Celebrate Asia, was organized by the Governor’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Council (GAPAAC) under the leadership of Daniel Oh to showcase the spirit of cooperation among the Asian Americans, to celebrate the history, culture and accomplishments of Asians in Colorado and to kick off the forthcoming Asian Pacific American Community Summit to be held on Saturday, May 19, 2001 at the Front Range Community College, Westminster.

John Chin, Chair of the Asian Summit, opened the program with the announcement of the upcoming Summit.

Purnima Voria, Chair of Celebrate Asia, followed with an explanation of the meaning of Nemaste, the Indian way of greeting.

She then introduced Elizabeth Chu, Director, of the Taiwan Economic Affairs, based in Kansas who read the proclamation supporting the Summit.

Daniel Oh introduced the 21 Council Members one by one asking them to rise as their names were called.

Representing Governor Bill Owens, Mike Salaz described how GAPAAC started.

State Treasurer Mike Coffman encouraged the participation of Asian Americans in all aspects of American life for the benefit of all Coloradans.

Stella Yu, representing Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, emphasized the importance of building relationships among the diverse community

while Ray Martinez, Mayor of Fort Collins, expressed his feelings of being warmly welcomed by the Asian American community in Denver.

The Mayor of Golden, John Schenick described his friendship with Yang Chee, President of the Lao-Hmong Coalition and encouraged everyone not to be afraid of their identity.

David Brunick, Sr. , Vice-President of Human Resources, representing Dan Somers, Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Broadband, read Mr. Somers’s greetings to the Asian community.

Before dinner, Purnima called on some honored guests and representatives of those responsible for the success of the celebration, among them Dave Brunick, Bob Willis, (both of AT&T Broadband) State Treasurer Mike Coffman, Stella Yu, (representing Mayor Webb) and Nora Mercado, who was honored as Mother of the Day.

While the guests partook of the dinner catered by Empress Seafood Restaurant, the Gamelan Orchestra played several selections to entertain the guests.

Whei Wong of Fox 31 was the gracious Master of Ceremony of the Entertainment part of the Program.

Giselle Rushford, President of 4A Mountain States Chapter, introduced the members of 4A present in the reception.

Donna LaVigne, Co-Chair of Celebrate Asia, thanked and acknowledged all those who worked hard to make the event successful.

George Kuwamura, Co-Chair, Asian Summit delivered the closing remarks.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month across the U.S. celebrates the history, culture, and accomplishments of Asians in America. In the late 1970s, the first ten days of May were proclaimed Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. It was not until 1990 that President George H.W. Bush designated the whole month of May to officially be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843 and now celebrates the heritage of all Asian Pacific Americans. The term "Asian Pacific American" attempts to express cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity while recognizing common historical experiences in American history.