political leaders and invited guests
CHICAGO: Political luminaries, business leaders, church pastors, civil rights figures, community activists and physicians vied with each other in lavishing praises on the ranking US Congressman Danny Davis for his 51 years of unequalled public service rendered to the country and the community at large while celebrating his 75th birthday here.
The event was organized by Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force that included a good number of Indian Americans and political activists. The rousing luncheon reception for the Congressman was held at Captain Hard Times Banquet in Southside of Chicago on September 6.
A galaxy of political leaders including Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Deputy Mayor of Chicago Andrea Zopp, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown, Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris and many ethnic medical and community leaders took to the podium to pay glowing encomiums to the Congressman Davis for his fierce devotion to the beliefs of public service spanning over five decades as Chicago Alderman, Cook County Commissioner and now the United States Congressman.
Presiding over the birthday celebrations luncheon, Dr Vijay Prabhakar, Executive Vice-Chair of the Multi-Ethnic Advisory Task Force, introduced the ranking officials and described Congressman Danny Davis as a man of great virtue, piety and unparalleled faithfulness to serving the people. Dr Prabhakar said that tributes and greetings have been pouring in from all across the political spectrum as Congressman Davis is widely esteemed inside the beltway.
Harish Kolasani, President NRI SEVA and his team performed aarti and garlanded Congressman Davis on his arrival. Leontine Horne, Vice Chair, New Hope Community Service presented a bouquet of 75 red roses while Sohan Joshi, Chairman of New Hope Community Service, presented a golden silk shawl.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan who received a rousing introductory welcome from Dr Vijay G Prabhakar, eulogized Congressman Danny Davis as a mass leader who continuously served people with commitment and conviction. Kishor Mehta, Task Force Chair, presented a floral bouquet and Gerard Moorer, Task Force Director, presented a shawl to Ms. Madigan.
State Senator Napoleon in his opening remarks said that Danny Davis served him as an inspiring mentor and his aspirations remain to be like him serving the people and the country. Eddie Newell of Jordans Dreams presented a floral bouquet and Vijender Doma of United Telugu Christians Association presented a shawl to Senator Harris.
Deputy Mayor Andrea Zopp conveyed the City of Chicago and Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s birthday greetings to the Congressman and pointed out the significant contribution that he made in building a vibrant and strong City of Chicago. Nagendran Sripad of End Point Graphics presented a shawl to Zopp.
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown said that Congressman Davis is a role model to all successful leaders today. Ms. Geetha Sripad presented a floral bouquet and Nakul Chand, Midwest Manager, Air India presented a shawl to Ms. Brown.
Congressman Danny Davis presented the Golden Eagle Award 2015 to Dr William O.P. Dorsey, CEO, Jackson Park Hospital, Chicago for his singular contribution to the development of Jackson Park Hospital. Dr Pratap C Kumar, Past President, Indian American Medical Association-Illinois introduced Dr Dorsey and said that the previous recipients of the Award include Governor Pat Quinn in 2012. Shirley Kalavakota, Reception Chair presented a floral bouquet to Dr Dorsey.
Replying to the felicitations, Congressman Davis recalled the role of his parents, Church and Martin Luther King in shaping his destiny. Rep. Davis said that the celebration of his 75th birthday is a celebration of his constituents, the people of Illinois and his fellow Democratic leaders who have all collectively worked hard to build a strong City of Chicago, a united County of Cook and a prosperous State of Illinois. He personally thanked the fellow Democratic leaders present, the Community leaders and the organizers for this wonderful celebration of life, love and unity.
The three tier colorful Cake Cutting Ceremony that followed, was conducted by the Task Force’s Staff Director Gerard Moorer with the singing of the birthday song and feeding of the cake to the Congressman by Mrs Rupali Nakul Chand.
Kishor Mehta, Task Force Chair, in his closing remarks highlighted the role of Mother Josephine Wade, President of Captain Hard Times Dining Banquet and her team for hosting the luncheon event. He also called for nominations from the Community for those individuals or organizations that have successfully managed to make a difference in people /community lives and achievers to be honored at the Sixth Annual Congressional Awards Gala to be hosted on Sunday October 30 at Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows.
Suresh Bodiwala &Â Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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