LACAAEA Celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month May 24, 2012
Los Angeles -- On May 24, 2012, the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association (LACAAEA)
hosted its 2012 Asian Pacific American Heritage Day Celebration at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in Los Angeles,
California. The event celebrated and recognized the countless contributions and accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islanders
in Los Angeles County. May was designated as “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month” by President George H. W. Bush in 1990.
Among those in attendance were William T Fujioka, County Chief Executive Officer, US Congresswoman Judy Chu, Michael Gin, Mayor of Redondo
Beach, County Board of Supervisors Deputies, and many other dignitaries.
Larissa Lam, an accomplished singer, composer and TV host, sang National Anthem to begin the Heritage Day Celebration.
U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, spoke about the importance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and presented a scroll to Jackie Guevarra, President of the LACAAEA.
William T Fujioka, Chief Executive Officer for the County of Los Angeles, delivered the keynote speech and spoke about his personal journey to become the
County's first CEO, while Sharon Harada, Deputy Chief of the Juvenile Field Services Bureau for the Los Angeles County Probation Department, spoke about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and the achievements of the API community.
Janice Y. Fukai, the Alternate Public Defender (APD), and
Mike A. Gin, Mayor of Redondo Beach, presented the Outstanding Community Service Awards to Bill Watanabe,
founder of the Little Tokyo Service Center, and the Center for the Pacific Asian Family (CPAF), respectively.
Simply mouse over a thumbnail below for a larger view with a photo caption!
Congresswoman Judy Chu,
California State Controller, John Chiang, California State Senator, Ted W. Lieu, Assemblymember Mike Eng,
Assemblymember Roger Hernandez and Assemblymember
Mike Davis, sent either a proclamation or a scroll to LACAAEA
President Jackie Guevarra to congratulate and recognize the Los Angles County Asian American Employees Association's contribution to the Asian Pacific Islander (API) communities.
Suzie Suh (CBS/KCAL) and Ted Chen (KNBC) served as Mistress and Master of Ceremonies,
respectively, and delighted the crowd with their professionalism, quick wit and sparkling personalities. Jackie Guevarra, President, and Tevi Sithan, Vice President
of Operations, thanked Ted and Suzie for their continuing support for the event. Click
here to view a photo. George Yan, Vice President of
Programs and Events, awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to many contributors and performers, inlcuding Larissa Lam
(Click here to view one of the certificates).
Entertainment included a martial arts performance, hula, Indian and Chinese dances, a Filipino music group and a cultural fashion show. We would like to thank all those who helped make the 2012 Asian Pacific American Heritage Day a success. See you next year!