Assemblymember Ron Kim concluded Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a ceremony on Friday, May 31, honoring notable leaders and organizations from the AAPI community.
Kim, who represents the 40th Assembly District, which includes portions of Whitestone, Flushing, College Point and Murray Hill, held the event at the Flushing Public Library at 41-17 Main St.
The Assemblymember, who also chairs the Committee on Aging, presented each honoree with a certificate of appreciation, celebrating their significant contributions to the state.
This year’s accolades recognized individuals who exemplified unique traits and virtues that have positively impacted the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Honorees included Lara Gregory, who was awarded the “Advocate Award” for her role as Director at Filipino American for Racial Action, and David Lee, who received the “Pioneer Award” for his work as President of the League of Asian Americans of New York.
Other distinguished recipients were Hyun Tak Lee, President of the Korean American Association of Queens; Samira Rajan, CEO of Brooklyn Cooperative Federal Credit Union received the “Trailblazer Award;” Dr. Ming Wang, Founder of Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, received the “Innovator Award;” and the Asian American Adult Day Care Association was presented the “Pathbreaker Award.”
In his opening remarks, Assemblymember Kim reflected on the broader societal challenges and the potential of the AAPI community to address them. “Flushing, the district I represent, is a microcosm of what’s to come for the rest of this country. We are at a crossroads, and if we can’t reverse the trends affecting our middle and working classes, we face more crises ahead,” said Kim.
He praised the honorees for their leadership and expressed optimism about their ongoing influence: “It was an honor to recognize the 2024 Champions of the AAPI Community. Each has made impressive contributions that are crucial for our progress as a society.”
Lara Gregory emphasized the importance of advocacy in shaping the future. “Advocating for our communities ensures that we have a stake in crafting a future that reflects the diverse faces of our city, state and nation,” Gregory stated. “If we want the future to reflect our true humanity, we will constantly advocate not just for our community but for that future to look like us.”
Dr. Ming Wang, who could not attend and sent a pre-recorded message, highlighted the practical and problem-solving ethos of the AAPI community. “What the world needs today is not more fanfare but more problem-solving, which defines who we are as AAPI members,” Wang noted.
Assemblymember Kim concluded the ceremony with a call to action, underscoring the responsibility of the AAPI community to lead and unite. “Our community holds the keys to making this country truly amazing again. We face challenges, but we are ready to work, take ownership and unite for a better future,” he affirmed.
