FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2005
Contact: Gloria Gavris
617-244-2004

Swiston Featured at Transportation Luncheon

Celebrating Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month

The Partners in Transportation hosted their annual luncheon on Thursday, May 19th to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month. Greer Tan Swiston, a West Newton resident, former candidate for State Representative and current candidate for Ward 3 Alderman-at-Large, was featured as the keynote speaker.

In 1993, President Bush designated May as National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Every year the Partners in Transportation host this popular and culturally rich event to celebrate this month. The Partners in Transportation (PIT) is an umbrella group that brings together organizations like the Executive Office of Transportation, Mass Turnpike Authority, Mass Highway Department and a couple others.

“It is wonderful that we take this time to celebrate our diversity," said Wei Lee Shia, the program host and project manager with the MBTA , in his opening remarks. "So much we hear these days are very sad stories about how difficult it has been for people, but today we are celebrating the positive …We are honored to have Ms. Greer Tan Swiston to speak to us today."

Newly appointed Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, John Cogliano was on hand to start off the festivities as was former Secretary of Transportation and new General Manager of the MBTA Dan Grabauskas.

Swiston talked candidly about her recent foray into politics. "Two years ago, I was sitting in front of my computer, working with my software development team. If you told me I'd be up here delivering a speech as a politician, I wouldn't have believed you!"

Former Governor Gary Locke, Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao and Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta were cited as examples of individuals of Asian descent behaving and serving as any other responsible American citizen would.

"Participating in government is a fundamental part of being an American citizen, not some specialized task for a small subset of people." Swiston said, "My grandfather taught me that the best way to be included, is to be involved. I urge you to get involved."

A community award was given to the Vietnamese-American Civic Association for their work in helping immigrants. Alexandria Chiu, high school senior from The Academy of the Pacific Rim also spoke.

"Last year I traveled to China , and for all my confusion about what I should do," Ms. Chiu said about her teenaged identity crisis, "I am thankful that I am here in a country where I can be confused."

There was also entertainment and food. Japanese drum performance provided by Odaiko New England and a buffet lunch provided by Shanghai Café.