Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Asian And Pacific Islander Student Leadership Summit Held Friday
Hoover State Office Building Conference room to be named after Iowa’s prominent Sahai family
( Des Moines ) - On Friday, May 2, 2008, the state of Iowa will hold the second annual Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Student Leadership Summit. The summit will focus on diversity, political activeness, education and community involvement and is hosted by the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage.
The keynote speaker for the event is Ishle Yi Park, a poet, songwriter and author. Park is the 2004 Poet Laureate from Queens , New York and she has regularly appeared on HBO’s Russell Simmons Presents: Def Poetry Jam. Considered a young leader in Asian American issues, her art focuses on topics such as the Asian American experience, women, literature and culture.
In addition, the Hoover State Office Building Level A Conference Room 5, 6, and 7 will be named as the Sahai Family Conference Center to recognize the contributions that the Sahai family has made to the State of Iowa . The ceremony will be held during the opening remarks of 2008 Asian and Pacific Islander Youth Leadership Summit.
Governor Chet Culver said, “We are proud of the diversity in our state and that we have been a leader in civil rights issues. I encourage all high school students with Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage to attend this conference and learn about diversity, political activeness, education, and community involvement. I also thank the Sahai family for their contributions to various educational institutions, temples, and medical centers across Iowa . It is fitting that the conference room in the Hoover State Office Building will be named the Sahai Family Conference Center to honor the numerous Sahai family contributions over the past 40 years.”
For more information, go to www.iowacapi.org. To reach the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, contact Cyndi Chen, Division Administrator, at Cyndi.chen@iowa.gov.
FRIDAY, May 2, 2008
| What: | 2nd Annual API Student Leadership Summit |
| Where: | Grand View College Des Moines , IA |
| When: | Friday, May 2, 2008 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m |
| What: | Naming ceremony of the Sahai Family Conference Center * |
| Where: | Grand View College, Wellness Center East 15th Street and Morton Avenue Des Moines, Iowa |
| When: |
Friday, May 2, 2008 9:00 a.m. |
*A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony Humphrey Center 2nd Floor, Rodholm Room, 1200 Grandview Avenue , Des Moines