Over 230 attendees, including national and locally elected officials, and well-known business and community leaders attended the event. The event featured Rhee as the keynote speaker. Two U.S. congressmen attended the gala and presented the awards to the recipients.
The AACC Chamber Awards Gala recognizes business (public and private sector, for-profit and non-profit) as well as business leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent who have made outstanding contributions to the metropolitan Washington D.C. business community and economy.
U.S. Congressmen Frank Wolf and Gerry Connolly attended. Also among the attendees were Sharon Bulova, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Rich Nilsen, Representing Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia; and a dozen of local government officials and local small business owners.
Congressmen Wolf and Connolly, Ms. Bulova and Dr. Cindy Shao, the founder and president of AACC, presented the awards to the recipients.
Achievement Awards
Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, who introduced Tae Kwon Do to the U.S., Received Lifetime Achievement Award.
New Tang Dynasty Television was awarded Nonprofit of the Year.
Cindy Chatman of Prudential received Member/Volunteer of the Year.
Rosemary Lauer of Devotion to Children received Public Service Award.
The Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships (OP3) received Government Agency of the Year.
Dr. Shao, said, “We are here to celebrate the excellence of Asian businesses, civic and community organizations, and to celebrate the great partnerships between our Chamber, government agencies, and corporations. We would like to recognize their outstanding contributions to the Metropolitan DC business community and economy.”
“Also, we would like to thank our sponsors who made this event happen: State Farm, Verizon, Dominion, EVO Merchant Services, and Beyer Kia dealerships.”
Keynote Speech
Mr. Rhee came to the United States to study in 1956 and has been teaching Tae Kwon Do since then. He was a martial arts instructor for actor and kung fu master Bruce Lee, boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Jack Anderson, George Allen Sr., Bob Livingston, Tony Robbins, Jack Valenti and over 300 U. S. Senators and House Representatives. He was appointed to the National Council on Vocational Education (1984 To 1988) by President Ronald Regan and appointed as Special Adviser to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports (1988-1991) by President George H. W. Bush. He now has over 60 affiliated Tae Kwon Do studios in the U.S. and 65 in the Commonwealth of Independent States (i.e., the former Soviet Union).
Rhee gave the keynote speech at the gala.
“Today’s social problems originated from cheating and lack of trust among people,” Rhee said. When people treat each other with trust, we won’t need governments, laws, religions, or Tae Kwon Do, according to the Rhee philosophy.
Republican Congressman Frank Wolf thanked AACC and Asian-run small businesses for their contribution to the local economy.
Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly announced that he had put “2011 AACC Gala” into the Congressional Record. He said, “A large percentage of local businesses are owned by Asian Americans. We enjoy one of the highest employment rates in the country, in large part due to Asian American businesses and the leadership of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce.”
Dr. Shao said the AACC serves a wide variety of programs, including business networking programs, business expo, business development workshops, seminars and other special events.
“The Asian American Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serve the fast growing Asian community in the region. It is our hope that we can link the Asian Community with mainstream society and build social and business connections that bridge all cultures and backgrounds to create a strong, prosperous, diverse community,” Dr. Shao said.
On behalf of Ken Cuccinelli, Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia, his personal representative Rich Nilsen, Esq. issued a Certificate of Recognition thanking AACC for its contribution to the local community.
