Message from the President

"It was overwhelming to be in the APPNA meeting. The whole thing was very emotionally charged, very positive, and a speechless experience. I believe your effort in bridge building has a wonderful chance to succeed."(sic) These words by Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, the President of Bangladesh Medical Association of North America (BMANA), reflect the views of many who attended the 27th Annual APPNA Meeting in Washington D.C., recently. APPNA has embarked on a well thought out plan to transform into a relevant, effective, and progressive organization. The establishment and nurturing of a mutually beneficial relationship with other professional and ethnic organizations in the country is an important element in our strategy. We have invited all known ethnic medical organizations in the United States to join hands with APPNA to address our common concerns. Bangladesh Medical Association and the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) responded to our call. APPNA engendered tremendous goodwill by bestowing Honorary Membership on the Presidents of BMANA and AAPI at the annual banquet. Plans are already underway for significant collaboration between APPNA, AAPI and BMANA on various issues of mutual interest, including a rare, joint APPNA and AAPI peace and goodwill trip to India next year. Furthering its objective of developing a broad-based coalition, APPNA made history when both the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the American Jewish Congress (AJC) were recognized at the annual banquet for their contributions to the cause of human rights and civil liberties. Mr. Phil Baum, the Director Emeritus of AJC, said, "We are most interested in the careful pursuit of possible areas of agreement and common ground, not because we think agreement will be easy to achieve but because continued tension and hostility threaten both communities." The theme of the annual meeting and indeed of the year: Liberty, Freedom and Justice Preservation of Civil Rights, was carried further with invitations to the political leadership of the country who had demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage during these past tumultuous years to join us at the meeting. APPNA Special Recognition Awards were presented to Senator Russ Feingold, Senator Tom Harkin, Senator Tim Johnson, and former Congressman David Bonier. Senator Feingold, who was unable to attend, later sent a note saying, "I just wanted to express my deep appreciation to you and APPNA for the Special Recognition Award. My sole vote against the USA PATRIOT ACT and my work to ensure that our nations anti-terrorism efforts do not trample on our Constitution and our nation's values have been some of my most important work during my tenure in the Senate. I look forward to continuing to work with you." Our country's leadership that attended the APPNA banquet as well as those who joined us at the Russell Senate building during the first ever APPNA DAY ON THE HILL reception, including Senators Hillary Clinton, Blanche Lincoln, Arlen Specter, Tom Carper, Lincoln Chafee, Tom Harkin, Tim Johnson and Representatives Mike Ross, Sheila Jackson Lee and Rob Simmons acknowledged the importance of the immigrant community in general and of the APPNA membership in particular to the country. Those and numerous other Congressmen who were visited by their respec tive constituents from the APPNA membership prior to the reception expressed a strong desire to work with us on matters of importance including civil rights and J-I visa issues. This year APPNA has tried to cultivate an enduring relationship with the Congressional Minority Caucus, as well. Besides working continued on page 2 CONTENTS