Press Release (March 5, 2005)



Catholic Charities' Commemorative Gala:
Thirty Years of Work for Southeast Asian Refugees in the U.S.

“Thirty Years: Looking Back and Moving Forward”

When: Sunday, April 10, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

Where: Empress Pavilion Restaurant, 988 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

Who: The Immigration and Refugee Department of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Inc.

What: A Commemorative gala honoring Thirty years of Southeast Asian Refugee Resettlement in the United States.

In April of 1975, Saigon fell to the Communist troops, changing millions of lives profoundly and forever. “Thirty Years: Looking Back and Moving Forward,” remembers the sacrifices of those fighting for freedom and the ordeal of leaving country and family behind to come to America as refugees, seeking freedom, peace, and a better future.  Today, these former refugees are contributing to America's future as lawmakers, judges, entertainers, newscasters, and members of our armed forces.

Honorees will include luminaries and former refugees who have made important contributions to the community. The Honorees include Minnesota State Senator Moua Mee; California State Assemblyman Van Tran; Director of U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement Dr. Van Hanh; U.S. Immigration Judge Phan Quang Tue; Film Director Tim Bui (The Green Dragon); Actress Kieu Chinh (The Joy Luck Club & Journey from the Fall); Newscaster Leyna Nguyen (KCAL, KCBS-TV); Comedian Dat Phan (NBC’s Last Comic Standing); Author Quang Pham (A Sense of Duty: My Father, My American Journey); active duty Vietnamese-American soldiers serving in Iraq, as well as others. 

Former refugee sponsors, including voluntary agencies, parishes, individuals, and other community based organizations that have assisted in the resettlement process will be recognized. We will also show appreciation to all refugee parents who have sacrificed and overcome hardship in raising their children to become model citizens.

Established in 1919, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles has served millions of people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, gender or religious belief. During the past fiscal year (July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004), in more than 50 offices and community centers, the agency provided over 1,286,000 services to 243,994 different individuals. People in need come to Catholic Charities for emergency food and shelter, low-cost before-and-after-school childcare, immigration and refugee assistance, psychological services, computer and jobs skills training, and other supportive services. Poverty doesn't discriminate. How could Catholic Charities?

For more information about the Commemorative Gala honoring thirty years of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States, contact Loc Nguyen, Director of Immigration and Refugee Department, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., at 213-251-3489, fax: 213-251-3444.