Iowa Chinese

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The 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards On Dec. 12, 2009, the Chinese Association of Iowa’s Iowa Chinese Achievement Award Selection Committee selected the honorees for the 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards. As a major community organization, Chinese Association of Iowa believes that it is essential to identify and honor "role models" who can inspire all of us, especially the younger generation. With so many community events and programs, there has never been a more important time to recognize the contributions made by businesses, organizations and volunteers in communities across the State of Iowa and overseas who give their time and energy to support our community. Previous award winners have all been excellent examples of the leadership and volunteer spirit celebrated through the awards. From the oldest member to the youngest, these individuals, businesses, organizations have demonstrated generosity and a strong commitment to improve the well-being of our communities through their leadership, volunteerism, and sacrifice. Award Reception, New Year Dinner and Award Ceremony With each award, The Chinese Association of Iowa publicly affirms present achievements, seeks to encourage further work on the part of the recipients, and hopes to motivate others to follow their lead in service to Iowa communities. The award ceremony will be held at the annual Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Indian Hill Junior High School Auditorium, Clive, Iowa, Saturday, 6:00-7:00pm, Feb. 13, 2010. The Ceremony will feature a keynote speaker. The reception and the New Year dinner (buffet type) for the award winners, their families, sponsors and community members will be at the Indian Hill Junior High School Cafeteria Area, Saturday, 4:00-5:45pm, Feb. 13, 2010. The ticket will be $25 for the award reception and New Year dinner. There will be no charge for the award ceremony. Award Ceremony Keynote The 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Ceremony will feature a keynote speaker. The 2009 Iowa Chinese Achievement Awards Honorees Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity Eric Idehen, Wells Fargo The Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity is the Chinese Association of Iowa’s most prestigious honor. In the past, the association has select individuals or group among the top echelon of extraordinary contributors to society in our generation to recognize their distinguished humanity impact to the State of Iowa. Governor Robert Ray and Kemin Industries are the honorees since the award was established. On August 17, 2002, Dr. David Jiajian Wang, a native of China’s Hainan Island and a dentist graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry , sacrificed his life when he tried to save a boy at Lake Panorama, Panora. In October 2002 Dr. David Wang received the Person of the Year from the Iowa Asian Alliance for his professional achievement, business development, his service to under- privileged people and his sacrifice for others. On August 17, 2003, a year after Dr. David Wang’s sacrifice, the Chinese Association of Iowa presented the Iowa Hero Award to Dr. David Wang’s mother and sister in recognition of their proud son and brother’s heroic actions for saving other’s life. Five years after David Wang’s sacrificed his life for others, the Chinese Association of Iowa established the David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity to honor his great achievement and sacrifice for State of Iowa communities. At the Chinese Association of Iowa’s 20th Anniversary celebration in 2007, this award was presented to Governor Robert D. Ray for his great contribution as the first governor who reached out and helped the humanitarian resettlement of the Southeast Asian people to Iowa after the Vietnam War in mid-1970’s. Grace Wang, Dr. Jiajian Wang’s former wife, Cassie Wang, Dr. Jiajian Wang’s daughter, and the Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro co-presented the award to Governor Ray. Governor Ray’s visionary act of compassion established Iowa as a welcoming place for refugees and immigrants of Asian decent. Governor Ray also played a leading role in opening U.S. relation with China. In addition he initialized Iowa’s Sister States relationship with China’s Hebei Province in the early 1980’s. Kemin Industries is the second honoree who received the David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity. Dr. Norman Borlaug “ethical kindness” has greatly impacted Kemin. Dr Borlaug had roots that are very similar to those of RW Nelson, Founder and CEO of Kemin. The knowledge that Dr Borlaug imparted and the business practices of Kemin form the basis of good agricultural policies that makes this a reality for the family farmer in China, India, Mexico, and Thailand who grow marigolds under contract for Kemin as the key ingredient of our FloraGLO Lutein business. They manage their crop with out the use of pesticides and other chemicals that rob the ground of their nutrients, enabling them to grow flowers successfully year after year. Kemin understands the importance of being an active member of the community in which we do business. Kemin now operate in over 60 countries, with manufacturing facilities in China, Singapore, Thailand, India, South Africa, Belgium, Brazil and the United States. Kemin make a commitment to hire staff at all levels from the president to the plant operator from local universities and communities. In September 2009 RW and Mary Nelson traveled to Qin (chin) Chang Village of Ming Shan County in Sichuan Province, to dedicate the Kemin Hope School. After the 2008 earthquake, Kemin challenged their employees world wide to donate money to rebuild the school. Kemin Industries then matched those donations and as a result a new school in a two-story building with six classrooms, one multifunctional room and one office that will accommodate more than 300 students and 10 teachers was dedicated on September 2nd. Mr. Nelson also presented six computers to the school which will be utilized for a computer literacy program. Kemin Hope School reopened its doors to students and teachers in May 2009. Locally, the Kemin staff has been active in Habitat for Humanity contributing to the building of several homes in the Des Moines area. On Sept. 20, 2009 at Lake Panorama, Panora, Iowa, where, Dr. Wang sacrificed his life for others, Janet Nelson, the daughter of RW and Mary Nelson, received the Dr. David Jiajian Wang Award for Humanity from Grace Wang, Dr. Wang’s former wife, and Roger Hansen, the Committee Chair of the first annual David Wang Memorial

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