The Latino Chamber Of Commerce Of Monmouth County, Inc. And Meridian Health Celebrated the Hispanic Heritage Month And Networking Event Dinner Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Gibbs Hall of Fort Monmouth, NJ. It was an opportunity for all members to expand their business network and to discuss business while they enjoyed an excellent dinner and folkloric dances followed by dancing music exclusively selected for their entertainment. The event was an outstanding success by virtue of the many verbal comments and emails received related to the event.
Attendance was estimated to 150 persons. This was diversity at its best since academia, banking, financial and community organizations were represented. These organizations included; Café y Orquidea (Colombian folklore), MC Arts Council, Community YMCA, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch Concordance, Meridian Health, LB Rotary Club, Family and Children Services, Brookedale Community College, PNC Bank, MC Sheriff and members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders as well as many Latino Business owners and individuals from almost every culture.
It has always been one of the objectives of the Chamber to build bridges of understanding among the communities that form Monmouth County. The Chamber working with others exceeded the Chamber’s objectives while emphasizing the need for a healthier community. It is with understanding and knowledge that one can strengthen relationships, revitalize and develop healthy and economically sound communities. The following selected number of photographs were taken during the event illustrate the success of the activity.
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| Monika Mazurczyk of the LB Rotary Club, leads Chamber members in Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of USA. |
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| Anne Marie Sparaco, opera singer, sings the National Anthem |
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| Father Berrios leads the invocation |
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| Honorable Judge John D'Amico, Deputy Director Board of Freeholders, delivering his keynote address to the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Monmouth County, Inc. |
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| The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Monmouth County held its annual networking dinner and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday, September 26 at Gibbs Hall, Fort Monmouth. The event was an opportunity for members and guests to meet other Latino and non-Latino business owners and exchange ideas and business cards. The evening program presented a keynote speaker, the Honorable John D’Amico, Deputy Director, Board of Chosen Freeholders of Monmouth County who addressed the contributions of Latino men and women, the most recent being the appointment of Judge Sonia Maria Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. D’Amico spoke at length of Sotomayor’s accomplishments, beginning with her early life in New York City where she was born of Puerto Rican descent. Her father died when she was nine and she was raised by her mother. She ultimately went on to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1976, earning her law degree Yale Law School in 1979.
Sotomayor was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by President George H. W. Bush in 1991. In 1997, she was nominated by President Bill Clinton to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On the Second Circuit, Sotomayor heard appeals in more than 3,000 cases and wrote about 380 opinions. Sotomayor has taught at the New York University and Columbia Law Schools.
In May 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace retired Justice David Souter. Her nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate in August 2009.
D’Amico spoke of her active involvement in Latino matters such as hiring and education. He talked about her judicial record of unbiased decision making and her ability to make judgments based on legal doctrine.
The above was derived from The Link News publication of October 1, 2009 written and edited by Jack Kearns of the The Link News
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| The Chamber and Meridian Health event co-sponsor awarded a Certificate to Honorable John D'Amico for outstanding contributions, dedication and community services to Monmouth County Community. Wayne Boatwright Vice President Meridian Health and Louis Rodriguez, Chamber's Excecutive Director delivered the certificate |
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| Standing from left, Freeholder Amy Mallet husband, Jim Sultan and Dr. Webster Trammell of Brookedale Community College, Freeholder Honorable John D'Amico and Sean Byrnes candidate for Freeholder and Freeholder Honorable Amy Mallet. Seating are daughters of the Mallet's and the wife of Freeholder John D'Amico. |
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| He said she has been active in issues around bussing, criminal justice and social issues. He said she has a “common sense of awareness of how the law impacts everyday lives of Americans.” D’Amico went on to encourage his audience to get involved directly in government. He said each has a right and responsibility to take part, by voting. “But voting is not enough, he said. He asked them to become active. He said they should be an active part of the community, in all matters, jury duty and in other ways. He closed with a suggestion that they become role models for the young, symbolizing what good citizenship is all about.
As he completed his remarks D’Amico was honored with an award for “outstanding contribution, dedication and community service” by Chamber Executive Director Louis Rodriguez and co-sponsor Meridian Health’s Wayne Boatwright, VP Cultural Diversity.
The gala event included delightful entertainment by the Latino American folkloric dance group Cafe y Orquidea. Their name means “Coffee and Orchids”, two significant products from Columbia. The group of young performers of all ages danced to promote, preserve, and showcase the richness of Colombia's folklore and culture through traditional and contemporary rhythms. They performed in costumes appropriate to the more than a half dozen dances, taking in the Cumbia, San Juanero, Bambuco, Gaita, Joropo, Merengue, Mambo, and Salsa. They were well received by a most appreciative audience.
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| The group Cafe y Orquidea which aims to promote, preserve and show case Colombia's folklore and culture through traditional and contemporary rhythms. |
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