Pictured (back, l to r) are: Cambao De Duong, President, Eastern Vietnam Cambodia Laos Chinese Descent Association, Inc.; William H. Su, President, Myanmar/Chinese Association of New York; Kyung B. Yoon, Chair, New York Asian Women’s Center and Co-founder, Korean American Community Foundation; Thompson; Kyong Ro Lee, President, Korean American Association of Greater New York; Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq., Immigration Activist & Author; (front, l to r) Taehyo Park, Executive Director, Korean American League for Civic Action; Doris Ling-Cohan, Supreme Court Justice, New York County; and, York K. Chan, President, Chinese-American Voters Federation. Photo credit: Marla Maritzer.
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Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored seven leaders at his fifth annual Asian/Pacific Island Heritage celebration on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. The event was co-sponsored by Asian Americans for Equality, the Asian American Federation, the Chinese American Planning Council, and the Korean American League for Civic Action.

Addressing more than 250 people, Thompson paid tribute to the many New Yorkers with roots in China, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, the Philippines and many more Asian Pacific Island nations that have come to the City seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

“Families who have been here for generations flourish and redefine the American Dream, while preserving and celebrating ancient traditions,” Thompson said to those gathered at the Surrogate’s Court in Manhattan. “Every year, increasing numbers of Asian Americans rise to great heights in all professions and pursuits, and play an increasingly prominent role in all aspects of City life.”

The Comptroller presented the first award of the evening to York Kue Chan, Vice Chairperson of Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation. Mr. Chan spearheaded the move to form the Chinese-American Voters Federation to encourage qualified Chinese-American citizens to register and vote in the 2004 Presidential election. “Mr. Chan has achieved great heights professionally, and has given generously of his time and support to a wide range of civic and community endeavors,” Thompson said.

Thompson presented the distinguished service award to immigration advocate Cambao De Doung. Mr. Duong oversees the Brooklyn branch of the New York Association for New Americans, the nation’s largest refugee resettlement and immigrant service agency. Thompson described him as, “a leader who has shown extraordinary dedication to helping those in need and has contributed greatly to the quality of life in our communities.”

The next award for distinguished service went to businessman and community leader Kyong Ro Lee, who is the President of the Korean American Association of Greater New York. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Mr. Lee has a strong commitment to helping others through his work with numerous civic organizations. “Mr. Lee has had a successful career and shown tremendous leadership by strengthening businesses and communities throughout New York,” Thompson said.

Thompson presented award-winning broadcast journalist Kyung Yoon with the award for distinguished service. Ms. Yoon is a former correspondent for WNYW Channel 5 news, and is the first Korean-American broadcast reporter in New York history. She is also the creative force behind Global Links Television, an international documentary series on economic and social development issues that is broadcast in more than 60 countries around the world. In addition to her professional activities, Ms. Yoon is also an active volunteer and leader in the Korean community. Thompson described Ms. Yoon as “a role model to generations of young people and who risen to great heights in her field and given generously of her time to charitable endeavors.”

The next award was presented to William Su, President of the Myanmar-Chinese Association, formally known as the Burmese-Chinese Association with the next award. Mr. Su oversees the association’s wide range of programs and provides many services in the community. Mr. Su came to the United States in 1971 and opened a small grocery store in Brooklyn, and now own four hotels and has entered the restaurant business. “Mr. Su has achieved great heights professionally, and has made tremendous contributions to the quality of life in our city.”

Thompson presented attorney and community leader Reuben Seguritan with the next award. Mr. Seguritan has been active in immigration advocacy for the past three decades. He writes a weekly column published in various Filipino newspapers throughout the United States and is the author of “We Didn’t Pass Through the Golden Door,” a book on the Filipino American experience. “Mr. Seguritan holds a distinguished record of providing extraordinary leadership on behalf of refugees and immigrants,” Thompson said.

The final award for distinguished service was presented to the Honorable Justice Doris Ling-Cohan, who is the first Asian American woman elected to the Supreme Court in 2002 and prior to that, in another historic election, she was elected to the Civil Court from the Second Municipal Court District, which includes much of Chinatown. Justice Ling-Cohan is also an active member of a number of community organizations and is the founding member of three: the Asian American Bar Association of New York; the Jade Council; and the New York Asian Women’s Center. “Justice Ling-Cohan has risen to tremendous heights in her field and brings vision and innovation to countless initiatives.”

Photos from the event are available either on the Comptroller’s website at www.comptroller.nyc.gov

or by calling Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597.