THE 27TH ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION HELD UNDER AUSPICES OF ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO From: Ehtesham Arshad
THE 27TH ANNUAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION HELD UNDER AUSPICES OF ASIAN AMERICAN COALITION OF CHICAGO
TWO PAKISTANI AMERICANS RECEIVED PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS, MEMBER OF US CONGRESS AND SECRETARY OF STATE, ILLINOIS ATTENDED THE EVENT.
The Governor of Illinois Pat Quinn welcomed Asian Americans who were gathered for the 2010 Asian American Coalition New Year Celebration hosted this year by the Filipino American community. He was addressing about 1200 Asian Americans in Hyatt Regency, Rosemont in Illinois on the occasion of The 27th Annual Lunar New Year celebration, held by Asian American Coalition of Chicago. “I offer my best wishes for a very happy and healthy New Year”, he said.
In 2008 Pakistan was the host of the event. Pakistan hosted it three times. There are 14 members in the Board of Directors. Two Pakistani American Mr. Rasheed Chaudhry and Mr. Sadruddin Noorani are members of the Board of Directors.
Euna Lee was the keynote speaker. Lee was detained in North Korea with fellow current TV journalist Laura Ling. The two were attested in March 2009 for entering the country illegally. They were later pardoned in August after President Bill Clinton secured their release on diplomatic visit to North Korea.
Ms. Jan Schakowsky, member of US Congress, Mr. Jesse White, Secretary of State of Illinois were also the guest speakers.
Two Pakistani Americans received the Honor at this event. Ms. Saleha Ehtesham received "Youth Who Excel Award", Ms. Ehtesham is a sophomore at Streamwood High School, Illinois, while Judge Pamela Leeming received the "Community Service Award", Judge Leeming is the Judge of Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois and she hails from Lahore, Pakistan. Ms. Pamela was born in Lahore, Pakistan. She complete her primary education at Pakistan Embassy School in Jeddha, Saudi Arabia and her high school in Murree, Pakistan. She graduated from high school in Chicago and attended University of Illinois. Pam has been appointed to the Bench as a full circuit court judge in Cook County on December 1, 2009.
Saleha Ehtsham was born in Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan, on August 06, 1994. She is the oldest daughter of Mrs. Huma and Mr. Ehtesham Arshad Nezami, a free lance journalist and columnist. Saleha migrated to the USA in 2000 at the age of 6. She received the “President’s Education Award” in 2006. An honor roll student at the Canton Middle School in Streamwood, Illinois. Saleha received 3rd place award in a speech contest in 2008, organized by the Pakistani American Council, USA, on the occasion of Pakistan Day in Chicago. Saleha volunteers for The FOCUS Network, a not for profit organization that brings communities together and to provide guidance to the younger generations. She volunteers for the FRIENDS OF HUMANITY and OBAT HELPPERS, INC., human right organization and NGO of USA. Saleha helps these organizations especially in graphic and other computer programming related fields. She has written a review (article) on a book “Muslims in America” by Dr. Prof. Asad Husain, which was published in English Corner of a weekly newspaper URDU TIMES, USA.