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Treasurer Pappas Hosts Pakistan Independence Day Reception After Daley Plaza Flag Raising Ceremony
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Pakistan’s Consul General to Chicago Zaman Mehdi commemorated Pakistan’s Independence with a reception honoring the rich cultural heritage, achievements and contributions of Pakistani Americans throughout Cook County.
The celebration followed the annual Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony in Daley Plaza.
The reception was held in the Treasurer’s Office immediately following the noon-time flag raising on August 13.
Congressmen Danny Davis and Jonathan Jackson were also in attendance.
Pakistan won its independence from British Colonial rule on August 14, 1947, when Britain passed a law separating its former colony in South Asia into two countries, India and Pakistan.
The flag raising commemorates that historic day 79 years ago when the flag of Pakistan was first raised in Karachi.
“Recognizing Pakistan’s hard-won independence gives us an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and accomplishments of Pakistani Americans who’ve strengthened Cook County through their hard work, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and dedication to family and community,” said Pappas.
“Our county is enriched by the more than 50,000 people of Pakistani descent who’ve settled here and who each day contribute to the vibrancy that makes Cook County a great place to call home.”
Observed annually on August 14, Independence Day activities celebrate Pakistan as a sovereign nation while recognizing the traditions and accomplishments of the Pakistani diaspora in Chicagoland and around the world.
The reception provided an opportunity to honor more than a dozen local community leaders by presenting them with Certificates of Excellence in recognition of their service and contributions to Cook County.
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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