International Focus Magazine Vol. 2, #11 | Page 17

of the Charter of the United Nations by elementary students from Mark White
elementary and Roy Benavidez Elementary. These schools represent a large part of
the mission of the UN. In one school alone, there are 28 languages spoken. HISD
receives more than 4000 refugee students a year. There are programs in place for
backpacks, dictionaries, temporary housing, and trauma counseling for both the
students and their parents. These students were representatives of part of the success
Houston is having with their education programs.
Commemoration Day this year was on Tuesday the 24th of October at the Junior
League on Briar Forest. Entertainment was provided by Muhammad Shiekh Huru,
a Syrian refugee and an accomplished player of the Oud; Ingoma Planet, one of
the best percussion ensembles on the planet from Burundi; Mel Rose, singer, song-
writer, and recording artist and owner of Mel Rose Creative Suite; and Paraluman,
formed by a group of Filipino ladies to bring their culture to the U.S.A.
During the course of the evening, the Keynote Speaker was Ms. Mary Beth Good-
man, Senior Consultant for the World Bank, and former Senior Director of the
White House National Security Council. Lifetime Achievement Awards were giv-
en to some very special Houstonians who have contributed to making Houston
valuable globally. They are as follows:
Dr. William J. Cunningham: Associate Professor Emeritus of International Studies,
Retired U. S. Foreign Service Officer
Mrs. Patricia Cunningham: Teacher, Retired U. S. Foreign Service Officer
Vijay Goradia: Founder and Chairman, Vinmar International
Mr. Wea H. Lea: Chairman, Southern News Group Houston
Dr. Bandula Wijay: Ambassador Science Technology and Innovation Sri Lanka
Ms. Oni K. Blair: Executive Director of LINK Houston, Former Special Adviser for
International Affairs- Office of the Mayor of Houston, Former Foreign Service Officer,
U. S. Department of State
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