A La Palma City Council member handed out key awards to more than 80 citizens from around the state of Asian or Pacific Island heritage on May 24 as they celebrated the inaugural Celebrate Asian Heritage event in conjunction with AAPI Heritage Month in May.
La Palma City Council member Janet Keo Conklin, a Cambodian/Laotian descendant, said she worked with a group of key community members to determine key members of the AAPI communities throughout the local and regional communities who have displayed courage and leadership in various capacities.
Conklin thanked the City Council of La Palma for passing a resolution supporting AAPI during Asian Heritage Month, and for allowing her to utilize the city’s park for the event.
“I think the success of this event demonstrates a need to recognize the leadership of what has become a major segment in our community and others throughout the state,” said Conklin. “We just wanted to make sure key leaders in our community received special recognition for their efforts,” she added.
According to a list of awardees provided to ENE, the Celebrate Asian Heritage event awarded various awards for achievements in filmmaking, investing, public service, religious achievement, acting, clothing designs, legal representation and many more.
Conklin said she coordinated the event with the White House, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, State Senator Josh Newman, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva.
Some of the awardees were even recognized for their heroic work in the Cambodian / Laotian genocide before they emigrated to America.
Three of the awardees were singled out for the “Pinnacle Awards,” including Chanwantha Sam Limon, Tevy Sithan Galano, and Dr. Chritina Lee. They were each given a special “Burning Desire” trophy along with their special awards “for your leadership, dedication and commitment in serving the community and improving people’s lives.”
Conklin also credited the newly formed La Palma Chamber of Commerce for assisting with the event and said a formal announcement about the Chamber would soon be forthcoming.
She said that based on the reaction the event received, the event could easily grow into an annual event.
“I’m very proud to receive this award from you not just as a friend but someone that’s going to make so thank you so much,” said Sam Limon, a businesswoman who was a key executive in Los Angeles county for many years.
She thanked Conklin for having the courage to organize the Asian Heritage Awards ceremony.
“This event is absolutely a reflection of what you wanted to be, and today, you did it you were able to step out of your comfort zone and you were able to recognize something that is very important in your own community but also in Los Angeles County and the State of California,” she said.
“You have done an amazing job of rallying everybody together to support the API community,” said Sam Limon.
Others, including Ma, praised the event.
“What an amazing AAPI event with La Palma City Council member Janet Keo Conklin today with members of the Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, Cambodian, Filipino, Chinese and Laos communities,” posted California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Conklin said it was a team effort and thanked everyone who had the courage to support the original vision of the event.
“We’ve already got some great ideas for next year,” she said.
