CEA Community Conversation: Days of Commemoration

From Left (Back Row):

Rev. Kennedy Kwasi Odzafi (CEA member),  J’amie D’Aguiar (CEA member), Naomi Bloch (CEA member), Jeffrey Lynch (CEA member), Erica Obebe (CEA member), Harry Iceland (CEA member), Gayathri Aluvihare (CEA member)

From Left (Front Row):

Enas Elhanafi (CEA Chair), Councilmember George Leventhal, Mumin Barre (Former CEA member)

On Wednesday, July 20, 2011, The Committee for Ethnic Affairs (CEA) and Councilmember George Leventhal co-hosted a community conversation on the County's Days of Commemoration.

 This meeting took place at the Rockville Memorial Library, located at 21 Maryland Avenue in downtown Rockville from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/libraries/branchinfo/ro.asp

 The legislation for the "Days of Commemoration" was sponsored by Councilmember Leventhal and passed on March 28, 2006 (Bill No. 1-06: Special Days of Commemoration) and signed into law on July 7, 2006. 

 The special law designates certain days of commemoration relating to religious, ethnic and cultural heritage of County residents.

 Councilmember Leventhal and the Committee for Ethnic Affairs felt that it was worthwhile to re-visit this legislation after five years to seek the public's input on how well this legislation is understood by the County and its residents.

 A conversation took place between those in attendance about if any adjustments should be made to this law.  If better public education was needed or if there might be interest in adding additional days to the County’s current list of days of commemoration.

 This program is part of a series under a pilot program developed by the Committee for Ethnic Affairs to encourage and help better facilitate communication among the diverse communities of Montgomery County.

 The CEA advises the County Executive and the County Council on public policy that relates to ethnic affairs and promotes involvement of all ethnic groups in County government as well as other County services and programs.

 For more information on the Committee for Ethnic Affairs and the Days of Commemoration:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/council/pdf/bill/2006/01-06.pdf

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cpstmpl.asp?url=/content/EXEC/partnerships/events/celebrations.asp

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cpstmpl.asp?url=/content/EXEC/partnerships/resources/meetings/CEA/index.asp

Post Contributed by Naomi Bloch