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04-24-2004, 07:19 AM
Dat Nguyen Awarded Vietnamese American National Gala Golden Torch Award
"Honoring America's Best and Brightest"
DallasCowboys.com
April 23, 2004, 7:00 p.m. (CDT)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Vietnamese American National Gala will be presenting the "Golden Torch Award," awarded to Vietnamese Americans for distinguished achievements in their profession or in their service to the community. Six (6) Vietnamese Americans will be recognized. They are as follow:
Mr. Dat Nguyen, #59, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys - Mr. Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American professional football player. He is a defensive star for America's Team after a distinguished career at Texas A&M University, where he was named the national collegiate Defensive Player of the Year. At 5 feet 11 and 243 pounds, he is considered "small" by NFL player standards, but Mr. Nguyen more than make up for his lack of size with his hard-hitting style and a knack for finding the ball.
Mr. Yen Ngoc Do, Founder and Publisher, Nguoi Viet Daily News - Based in Westminster, CA, it is the largest Vietnamese-language daily newspaper in the U.S. The newspaper literally was founded in the garage of his home. The paper grew over the years, helping to chronicle the triumphs and trials of Vietnamese immigrants in Little Saigon. In March, 2004, Nguoi Viet celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
Mr. Trung Dung, Founder & CEO, Fogbreak Software - Based in San Ramon, CA, Mr. Dung (pronounced "Dzung") is a pioneer in the development of business-to-business application integration technology. Mr. Dung also founded and grew OnDisplay from a product concept to an enterprise software company that was one of the 10 most successful IPOs of 1999. The company was acquired by Vignette Corp. in 2000 for $1.8 billion.
Ms. Ngoan Le, Special Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago - Ms. Le currently serves on Chicago's Committee on Homelessness, Chicago Department of Human Services. Previously, she served as the member of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She was the first Vietnamese American woman appointed to that position.
Mr. Truong Dinh Tran, Proprietor of Hotel Carter (New York, NY) & Hotel Lafayette (Buffalo, NY) and Philanthropist - Mr. Tran donated $2 million of his personal funds to the American Red Cross 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. His generous donation is a testament to his deep commitment to America.
Dr. Eugene Trinh, Director, Physical Sciences Research Division, NASA Headquarters - Dr. Trinh is the first Vietnamese American astronaut. He was a member of the crew on Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-50 on June 25, 1992.
In addition to the Golden Torch Award, VANG will also recognize an organization and an "Honorary Vietnamese American" for their leadership and achievements. They are as follow: National Leadership Award: An award presented to an organization that, through its ground-breaking efforts, has allowed Vietnamese-Americans to realize and expand their opportunities in the United States. Catholic Charities is being honored for its work in the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees in America.
Honorary Vietnamese American: A recognition presented to a non-Vietnamese individual who has made a significant contribution to the lives of Vietnamese-Americans. Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Department of Transportation, and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce under President William J. Clinton. Secretary Mineta is being recognized for his work with civil rights and advocacy of the Asian Pacific Americans community. Secretary Mineta was also a Congressman and Mayor for San Jose, the city with the largest Vietnamese population outside of Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese American National Gala (VANG) is a national celebration of Vietnamese Heritage and pride, in conjunction with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which honors the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognizes their contribution to America. The black-tie dinner gala will take place on May 10, 2004 in the Presidential Ballroom at the Capitol Hilton. The gala is hosted by Viet Heritage Society, a non-profit organization based in California. VANG will celebrate three decades of progress and achievements made by Vietnamese Americans and honor the accomplishments of distinguished individuals and organizations through out the United States.
For additional information on the gala or any of the events being held by VANG, please visit http://www.vangUSA.com or contact Ryan Hubris, Executive Director, at info@vangUSA.com.
"Honoring America's Best and Brightest"
DallasCowboys.com
April 23, 2004, 7:00 p.m. (CDT)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Vietnamese American National Gala will be presenting the "Golden Torch Award," awarded to Vietnamese Americans for distinguished achievements in their profession or in their service to the community. Six (6) Vietnamese Americans will be recognized. They are as follow:
Mr. Dat Nguyen, #59, Linebacker, Dallas Cowboys - Mr. Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American professional football player. He is a defensive star for America's Team after a distinguished career at Texas A&M University, where he was named the national collegiate Defensive Player of the Year. At 5 feet 11 and 243 pounds, he is considered "small" by NFL player standards, but Mr. Nguyen more than make up for his lack of size with his hard-hitting style and a knack for finding the ball.
Mr. Yen Ngoc Do, Founder and Publisher, Nguoi Viet Daily News - Based in Westminster, CA, it is the largest Vietnamese-language daily newspaper in the U.S. The newspaper literally was founded in the garage of his home. The paper grew over the years, helping to chronicle the triumphs and trials of Vietnamese immigrants in Little Saigon. In March, 2004, Nguoi Viet celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
Mr. Trung Dung, Founder & CEO, Fogbreak Software - Based in San Ramon, CA, Mr. Dung (pronounced "Dzung") is a pioneer in the development of business-to-business application integration technology. Mr. Dung also founded and grew OnDisplay from a product concept to an enterprise software company that was one of the 10 most successful IPOs of 1999. The company was acquired by Vignette Corp. in 2000 for $1.8 billion.
Ms. Ngoan Le, Special Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago - Ms. Le currently serves on Chicago's Committee on Homelessness, Chicago Department of Human Services. Previously, she served as the member of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She was the first Vietnamese American woman appointed to that position.
Mr. Truong Dinh Tran, Proprietor of Hotel Carter (New York, NY) & Hotel Lafayette (Buffalo, NY) and Philanthropist - Mr. Tran donated $2 million of his personal funds to the American Red Cross 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. His generous donation is a testament to his deep commitment to America.
Dr. Eugene Trinh, Director, Physical Sciences Research Division, NASA Headquarters - Dr. Trinh is the first Vietnamese American astronaut. He was a member of the crew on Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-50 on June 25, 1992.
In addition to the Golden Torch Award, VANG will also recognize an organization and an "Honorary Vietnamese American" for their leadership and achievements. They are as follow: National Leadership Award: An award presented to an organization that, through its ground-breaking efforts, has allowed Vietnamese-Americans to realize and expand their opportunities in the United States. Catholic Charities is being honored for its work in the resettlement of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees in America.
Honorary Vietnamese American: A recognition presented to a non-Vietnamese individual who has made a significant contribution to the lives of Vietnamese-Americans. Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Department of Transportation, and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce under President William J. Clinton. Secretary Mineta is being recognized for his work with civil rights and advocacy of the Asian Pacific Americans community. Secretary Mineta was also a Congressman and Mayor for San Jose, the city with the largest Vietnamese population outside of Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese American National Gala (VANG) is a national celebration of Vietnamese Heritage and pride, in conjunction with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which honors the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognizes their contribution to America. The black-tie dinner gala will take place on May 10, 2004 in the Presidential Ballroom at the Capitol Hilton. The gala is hosted by Viet Heritage Society, a non-profit organization based in California. VANG will celebrate three decades of progress and achievements made by Vietnamese Americans and honor the accomplishments of distinguished individuals and organizations through out the United States.
For additional information on the gala or any of the events being held by VANG, please visit http://www.vangUSA.com or contact Ryan Hubris, Executive Director, at info@vangUSA.com.