Youth Leadership Report
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I would like to say a few words to describe my wonderful experience as part of the Donald Mintz - New Orleans Delegation to the ADL National Youth Leadership Mission to the US Holocaust Museum. I gathered many memories while on the mission; memories of friendship, memories of sightseeing, memories of travesty, but all were memories that will always be with me. I met many interesting people from a variety of backgrounds from other cities such as Dallas, St. Louis, and San Francisco, and we have been able to keep in contact because of e-mail.
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Our New Orleans Delegation was the first to arrive in Baltimore, and we all immediately hit it off on the bus-ride to Washington. The next day we were given a tour of the Nation's Capital, where we began to bond with the other delegations. In addition to making friendships, we learned and heard things that we will all not soon forget.
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Hearing from and speaking to actual Holocaust survivors made me realize that we must do everything we can to prevent such a terrible atrocity to never happen again. Their voices are still strong and their hearts are still full of love, and words cannot describe my admiration of this. Our visit to the US Holocaust Museum fortified these feelings. To see these artifacts of hatred was at times unbearable, but we all stuck through.
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On the last day of our mission we went to the Library of Congress to a very special guest speaker, US Congressman John Lewis from Georgia. Lewis, a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement, spoke to us about fighting for what we believe is right. He is living proof of a person who never stopped striving for a goal no matter what life threw at him.
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In conclusion, my experience on the Youth Leadership Mission was far more than just an educational one. It was one of commitment. I am now committed to stop any form of discrimination or injustice, for we all know, unfortunately, what can happen. I would like to give my deepest thanks to the Asian/Pacific American Society for granting me the opportunity to embark on this wonderful and unforgettable journey, and especially Mr. Subhash Kulkarni for personally asking me to go to Washington DC on this mission. I am very grateful for the opportunity.
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Sanjay Karnik
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Louisiana Asian-American Women's Caucus
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LAAWC was established in June 1998 with 9 Asian women from 7 countries who share the same vision as well as similar work ethics to make changes to better the Asian-Americans communities of Greater New Orleans area. The Vision of LAAWC is to become the vehicle that promotes and provides "East meets West" forum, and to serve the community as the "Information Center" for social and cultural issues.
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LAAWC is an issue oriented organization that works to address issues of concern to the Asian-American Communities. Our research and outreach identified the following plans of action:
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Improve the education of Asian-American public school children,
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Provide greater participation in Community Services,
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Improve the image of Asian Americans with regard to social and community responsibilities-an important legacy to our children.
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Give fair share to Community Chest,
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Provide higher visibility in community, events, and issues dialogues,
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Promote Asian and Asian women's perspectives and contributions,
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