This afternoon the Bronx Bangladeshi-American Community Coalition gathered to honor State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. & help him with a fundraiser that was held at the Oasis Restaurant located at 1907 White Plains Road.
The program opened up with a meet and greet of the over 75 people in attendance, Mr. Nazrul Haque officially started the program by introducing Community Board #9 Land Use Chair Mohammed N. Mujumder. Mr. Mujumder spoke of how Senator Diaz has helped the Bangladeshi community in the Bronx, and how it has grown in the Bronx to what it currently is. He said that the Bangladeshi community first met Senator Diaz in 1991 and have been working with him and his son Ruben Diaz Jr. who is now Bronx Borough President. He added that the community has also worked with local councilwoman Palma as well as helping to elect Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, but must also look towards the next generation.
The Bangladeshi movement in New York began as early as 1890 it was said, and by the 1920's Bangladeshi people began immigrating to Brooklyn. Others who spoke also had only high praise for Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Sepulveda who was in attendance. Assemblyman Sepulveda thanked the Bangladeshi community for their support in his huge victory last year, and added that he will continue to work for all of the people in his district.
Senator Diaz thanked all in the Bangladeshi community for their continued support, especially as he mentioned that in their homeland citizens do not do such work as is being done today for him. Diaz added that this was not the first fundraiser for him by the Bangladeshi Community, but in 2001 when he was running for City Council the community held a fundraiser for him. He named several individuals in attendance, saying that he goes back a long way with them. He spoke of having the first Bangladeshi Judicial Delegate elected last year, and wants to elect a second this year. Diaz closed by saying that the main reason of the event is "to raise money to re-elect State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.".
Left - Senator Diaz poses for photo with prominent realtor Khalilur Rahman.
Right - Closest to the camera is Abdus Shahid President of BANDS, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Community Board #9 Land Use Chair Mohammed N. Mujumder, and Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda.
Left - Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda thanks the Bangladeshi Community for the support that he was given, and this luncheon for Sen. Diaz.
Right - are the honorees with Senator Diaz and Assemblyman Sepulveda.
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