Iowa Asian Alliance Announces Winners of 2006 AdmirAsian Achievement Awards
Awardees to be honored at 5th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 21

Des Moines, Iowa (September 25, 2006) The Iowa Asian Alliance is proud to announce winners of the 2006 AdmirAsian Achievement Awards as chosen by the AdmirAsian Selection Committee.

Person of the Year: Dr. Chirantan Ghosh, Cedar Rapids , an active philanthropist originally from India whose major accomplishments include the founding of the Anna Purna Ghosh Foundation to provide financial assistance to local cancer and blood disease patients

Outstanding Asian Business: Urban Pet Hospital, Urbandale , the only Asian-owned veterinary clinic in Iowa, founded by Dr. Anil Regmi, originally from Nepal.

Outstanding Business: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, a global source of agricultural seed technology and a major IAA supporter, and Kemin Industries, Des Moines, an international company with offices in over 15 Asian countries.

Outstanding Youth ($1,000 scholarship): Tony Wang, Urbandale, a Chinese American senior at Valley High School who not only has an impressive GPA, but also an extensive track record for community service.

Asian Ambassador (non-Asian advocating on behalf of Asian community): Dr. Kenneth A. Quinn, Des Moines, current President of the World Food Prize Foundation and former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Outstanding Volunteer: Dr. Cecilia Peralta, Fort Dodge, a Filipino American member of Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, and a fundraiser for numerous causes in her community.

Members of the AdmirAsian Selection Committee consist of Iowa Asian Alliance stakeholders from sponsoring companies, past winners, and the community at large.

"Our winners this year are a celebration of the values we hold dear," said San Wong, Chair, IAA Board of Directors and Associate Provost, Des Moines Area Community College Urban Campus. While they were chosen using different criteria for each of these categories, it is clear that we value those who give of themselves to better the lives of others. It is empowering to see that whether they serve animals or people, feed the world or cure the world, are 16 or 60 years old, serve their local community or did work that impacted the state and country, they all directed their talents and energy to leave the world better than they found it. It will be an honor to recognize each of them.

Winners of the AdmirAsian Achievement Awards will be honored at a formal reception, sit down dinner, and awards ceremony at its 5th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel, 1800 50th St. , West Des Moines . AdmirAsian is the fall signature event of the Iowa Asian Alliance (IAA) and is co-hosted by Citigroup and Toyota of Des Moines and sponsored in part by Allied Insurance, Des Moines Register, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and the Polk County Board of Supervisors.

The AdmirAsian Achievement Awards honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and contribution to the community. The goals of this unique and prestigious event are to celebrate the accomplishments of the honorees and to inspire future community leadership. Approximately 250 business and community leaders are expected to attend the networking dinner and awards ceremony. The Hon. Douglas K. Bereuter, President of The Asia Foundation, will be keynote speaker.

For more information please contact Kim Poam Logan at (515) 309-6047 or at klpoam@iowaasianalliance.com.

ABOUT THE IOWA ASIAN ALLIANCE
The Iowa Asian Alliance is a professional, non-profit organization dedicated to growing Iowa through a united Asian American community. Founded in 2002, the Iowa Asian Alliance promotes the business, economic and community development of Iowa's united Asian American community. The group represents the 15 Asian communities within the state, and also works to increase community awareness of their cultural and economic contributions.