Somerset County Asian American Heritage Month Celebrations May 20, 2007

Somerset County to Celebrate Asian-American Heritage Month

SOMERVILLE - May is the official Asian-American Heritage Month. In keeping with the tradition of celebrating this nationally recognized month, the Somerset County Asian-American Heritage Month Celebration Committee (SCAAHMCC) and a number of Asian-American community organizations, with the support of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders, are sponsoring a cultural
celebration. The event will be held on Sunday, May 20, from 1 to 5 pm

The objective of the event is to showcase various aspects of Asian cultures, to allow Asian groups to reach out to others and to foster mutual understanding through the sharing of the rich Asian culture and heritage. The event will be filled with group performances, artistic exhibits and ethnic foods. Visitors will have opportunity to enjoy and learn about the variety of Asian cultures in Somerset County. More than five hundred guests, including officials, business executives
and community leaders, are expected to attend this special event.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Somerset County's Asian-American community to come together and celebrate its rich heritage," said Somerset County Freeholder Director Ken Scherer. "It's also a great way for all our citizens to learn
about and appreciate Asian-American culture."
“Cultural pluralism and ethnic diversity are the shiny threads of beautiful tapestry of modern USA. Somerset County residents have embraced cultural pluralism and ethnic diversity with warmth and enthusiasm. We, the Asian-Americans are very proud to be an integral part and positively contributing residents of Somerset
County,” Said SCAAHMCC Chairman Emeritus Dr. Shirish Parekh. “The celebration of our heritage provides us the stage to appreciate the opportunity that has been granted to us by the county and country, and to provide glimpses of our cultures to the fellow county residents.”
As Census 2000 indicates, the Asian population in Somerset County increased 128 percent since 1990, and as per the 2003 County census, approximately 11% of the county population was Asian-Americans. "I believe that cultural festivals are the best tool to promote diversity awareness and improve racial relations," said
SCAAHMCC Chair Emeritus Michael Hsing. "People get to know each other better through happily performed songs and dances and deliciously prepared ethnic food.” Through this meaningful cultural event we would like to promote cultural understanding and racial harmony; cooperation and collaborative effort among Asian communities; and a strong networking relationship between the Asian
community and mainstream society.
For more information contact Ms. Judy Chou at 732-469-7104, email:
[email protected] or visit the SCAAHMCC Web site at www.SCAAHMCC.org.

Official Website: http://scaahmcc.org