Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Honorees 2018
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2018, U.S. Congressman Darren Soto recognized 9 individuals in Central Florida for their invaluable contributions to the community. The honorees' biographies were read into the Congressional Record on the House Floor by Rep. Soto and they also received official Congressional Certificates.
The 9 honorees were recognized by Congressman Soto in a ceremony that took place Tuesday, May 29th in the Kissimmee District Office.
Neal Abid | Executive Director of the Arab American Community Center Florida (AACC FL). Under his leadership, AACC FL has assisted over 15,000 community members through its healthcare, refugee assistance, and employment services, and organized the largest community Arab festival that attracts over 35,000 attendees annually. For full video, click here. |
Valerie Boey | FOX 35 News Orlando reporter and President of the Asian American Journalists Association's Florida Chapter. As an Associated Press award-winning television reporter for over 20 years, she mentors young Asian American journalism students, serves on the Board of the Florida Associated Press, and holds membership at the Orange County Asian Committee. For full video, click here. |
Dr. Sajid Chaudhary | infectious Disease specialist who has been providing healthcare services in the Kissimmee area since 2004. He is an active volunteer in the community, most notably he opened a free healthcare clinic in Kissimmee and help raise funds for victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. When he was the president of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) he launched 4 mobile clinics to help those who are uninsured in 4 states, one being Florida. For full video, click here. |
Hoang A. Doan | Branch Manager at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center's Training Systems Division and is the NAVAIR Wounded Warrior Recruiter's Asian American Pacific Islander Team Lead. He serves as a Council Member to the City of Orlando Mayor's Veterans Advisory Council and is an active Commemoration Partner of the Department of Defense's 50th Year Vietnam War Commemoration. |
Jose Fabricante Jr. | President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida and is a Board Director for the Orlando Economic Partnership for 2018. He strives to provide leadership, support, and encouragement to Asian American Business Community of Orlando. His family moved to the United States from the Philippines in 1992, making Florida his home. For full video, click here. |
Andrew Jeng | President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, President of Asian Pacific Islanders American Public affairs of Central Florida (APAPA), Principal of Kissimmee Chinese School, President of Kiwanis Club of Kissimmee; and, owner of UPTECH Computer Information Company. He received the award of Outstanding Asian American from Orange County, Orlando on 2016 and in 2009 the community service of Asian American Heritage Council in Orlando. For full video, click here. |
Ricky Ly | Orlando engineering professional and dedicated community advocate. He was chosen by Orlando Weekly as one of the "Ten People Making Orlando a Better Place to Be" in 2018 for his work as co-chair of the Florida Water Environment Association's Water Resources, Reuse, and Resiliency committee and on the Board of the Second Harvest Food Bank. He also leads voter registration campaigns for the local Asian American community and worked with PBS affiliate WUCF-TV on the documentary series "Vietnamese Orlando." For full video, click here. |
Khalid Muneer | Built a successful commercial real estate business, and is also the President of the American Muslim chamber of Commerce of Central Florida. He works hard to form alliances with other organization to strengthen the Asian American community in Orlando. He's called Florida home for 27 years, after kicking off his impressive career working in eight different countries. For full video, click here. |
Imam Abdul Rahman Patel | head of Imam Council of Central Florida and has been serving his community for the past 20 years Florida promoting to foster peace, unity, and love. Most notably he has helped in establishing the first free healthcare clinic in Osceola County and helped providing needed medication and resources to Victim Services of Central Florida. His love for his community is evident with his focus on educating the community on domestic violence at local domestic shelters, honoring the victims of Pulse nightclub tragedy, and organizing town hall meetings with local government. For full video, click here. |
