Fifth Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner Irvine
Irvine hosted the Fifth Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner at Hilton Irvine on the 27th of October. The reception started at 06:30 pm and dinner at 07:00 pm. Over 200 guests attended the night which featured President Bill Clinton’s taped message, Irvine Mayor Beth Krom as the keynote speaker, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, Director of the greater Los Angeles Area Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emeritus President of La Sierra University Lawrence Geraty and Mayor Pro Tem Sukhee Kang making the remarks.
Taped message of Bill Clinton stressed the need for better understanding and lines of communication be open at all levels, and added that he admired the work done by the transnational social movement inspired by the Turkish intellectual and thinker Fethullah Gulen.
Irvine Mayor Beth Krom started her speech by saying that she should add to her resume being the speaker after the President Clinton. She also talked about the need of a culturally and religiously diverse city likeIrvine and summarized what she has accomplished for the city and its people. She added that the city of Irvine was chosen to be the safest city in American and given priority to education, hosts the best schools and universities in the United States. Mayor Krom commended Pacifica Institute and the Turkish Americans for the work that they had undertaken to enable respect and love throughout the community living inIrvine and Orange County.
After the mayor’s speech, an animation video of the Anatolian Cultures and Food Festival was presented to the guests and the video clip of the interfaith song by the Turkish folk singer Mahsun Kirmizgul was shown.
Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens along with her executive staff also joined the event. Sheriff Hutchens emphasized the understanding of the other is crucial to deal with every day issues and the trips she made throughout her life had a positive impact. She also thanked Pacifica Institute for the work of the Turkish Americans in Orange County.
Director Billie Greer of the Office of the Governor thanked the Pacifica Institute for this lovely event, mentioned the family iftar dinners that involved 150 families in greater Los Angeles area and presented the recognition letter of the Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger which read
Greetings to everyone gathered for your Fifth Annual Dialog and Friendship Dinner.
California is home to a wonderful mix of cultures and I appreciate your work to promote the traditions of Turkish Americans. Your efforts to educate others about your heritage and your community involvement have enriched our Golden State. Because of your hard work, you have encouraged cultural understanding.
Thank you for your contributions to our state’s unique and ever- growing diversity. You and your supporters all deserve a big hand for your accomplishments.
On behalf of all Californians I send best wishes for a memorable event and every future success.
Emeritus President of La Sierra University Lawrence Geraty shared his experiences of the trip that he joined a year ago with Ibrahim. He talked about his meetings with the people from the Anatolian cities ofIzmir, Antalya, Konya, Nigde and how they shared the values of our common humanity.
Mayor Pro Tem Sukhee Kang mentioned the American and Turkish soldiers fighting for the freedom of South Korea. He added he loved the city of Irvine and the community has to work harder for a more diverse city in the United States. He also thanked Pacifica Institute for making such an event available for the people of Irvine.
State Senator Dick Ackerman also sent the State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition to thank the Pacifica Institute for holding events for better communication and understanding.