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FIA President Dr Sudhir Parikh honoured
The Indian American is among the five names out of 86 recipients of Ellis Island Medal of Honour by the NECO.
Renowned allergy and immunology specialist, Dr Sudhir Parikh, entered into the immigration history when he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honour from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) Inc.
The medal was presented on May 14 at a ceremony on Ellis Island.
"I'm pleased to receive this award and dedicate this to the community I belong," Dr Parikh said who is also the president of Federation of Indian Americans, adding, this is a recognition of Indian American's contribution to this country.
Dr Sudhir Parikh, who has spent 22 years of relentless service to community, is among the five names out of 86 recipients this year.
Besides Dr Parikh, other 2005 honorees include US Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, NASA scientist Firouz Naderi and football, business and media identity Nick Buoniconti, billionaire and philanthropist Richard Pratt, Director and Producer Penny Marshall; Seeds of Peace President Aaron David Miller; Football Legend, Business Leader, and Broadcaster Nick Buoniconti; and Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the American Red Cross.
In 20 years, only 1,000 American citizens have received this award.
Thus on May 14, Dr Parikh added his name to the long list of former awardees that includes US Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, leaders of industry, and gifted artists, performers, and athletes.
Fellow alumni include Presidents George Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton; national leaders Henry Kissinger, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Mayor Giuliani; and civic leaders Muhammed Ali and Rosa Parks.
Despite his busy medical practice, Dr. Parikh had dedicated himself to furthering the political empowerment of the two-million-strong Indian American community. He has been a tireless advocate of the community's concerns and a strong proponent of India's interests. Time and time again, Dr Parikh has come to the assistance of the Indian embassy in Washington DC when critical votes concerning India's interests have come before the US Congress.
NECO Chairman William D Fugazy said, "These individuals exemplify the American Dream. They are known for both their professional successes and their acts of philanthropy, which have helped those in need here in America and abroad. They join a prestigious list of Americans honoured for making the world a better place. I congratulate them all and thank them for their continued efforts that touch the lives of so many.
The Ellis Island Medals of Honour are presented to Americans of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their own ethnic groups and to American society. Honorees include US Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, leaders of industry and government, artists, performers and athletes. The US House of Representatives and the US Senate have unanimously passed resolutions sanctioning the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor.
The medal was instituted in 1986 by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organisations (NECO) to recognize ancestral groups, which -- through struggle, sacrifice and success-- helped build the United States.
The winners of this years honorees were taken to the Island after reception at the Battery Park Garden restaurant Saturday evening. Up on reaching Ellis Island the medal winners were given a grand welcome by thousands of people who were gathered in the Island on which the famous Statue of Liberty is situated. Millions of immigrants entered the United States through the island till about World War II.
