Washington DC: A group of Tibetan delegates consisting of Tibetan Parliamentarian Dhondup Tsering, President of Boston Tibetan Association Kelsang Phuntsok, President of Regional Tibetan Association of Massachusetts Tsultrim Kelsang, and Ven Geshe Ngawang Phuntsok from Kurukulla Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies was invited by Governor Maura T. Healey of Massachusetts to celebrate the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month at the State House Boston on 17 May 2023.
The celebration was also graced by the presence of Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Massachusetts; Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston; Joanne M. Comerford, Massachusetts State Senator and other dignitaries, along with Governor Maura T. Healey.
According to Kelsang Phuntsok, president of the Boston Tibetan Association, the Tibetan representatives were grateful to the state government’s invitation to the event, where they had the opportunity to meet with the Governor, the Mayor, and the Senator. He added that the delegate had updated information on the situations of Tibetan Americans during the meeting with state leadership.
On 1 May 2009, President Barack Obama signed Proclamation 8369, recognizing the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to recognize, remember and honour the important people, achievements and events of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. During that time, communities in the United States celebrated the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Washington DC