2010 Asian American Heroes of Colorado

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” - Joseph Campbell

Ved P. Nanda’s resume may have you reading for days. But it is his passion for law and care for his students that makes him an everyday hero.

Since 1965, he has taught at the University of Denver, where he currently oversees the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law.

Nanda is the Thompson G. Marsh Professor of Law and Director of the International Legal Studies Program. Since 1992 he has served as the John Evans University Professor, and from 1994-2008, served as Vice Provost for Internationalization at the university.

Nominated by his students, they expressed that Professor Nanda has a passion for global international law, as seen by his significant involvement in this community. He is the former President of the World Jurist Association and now its Honorary President; he is the former honorary Vice President of the American Society of International Law and now its counselor, and a member of the advisory council of the United States Institute of Human Rights. In addition, he was formerly the United States Delegate to the World Federation of the United Nations Associations, Geneva, and also served on the Board of Directors of the United Nations Association-USA.

“I am deeply honored,” said Nanda.

“Now that I know that some of my students and friends nominated me I am very pleased that I have earned their confidence. My Asian-American students are indeed the heroes because they have been leaders at the [University of Denver’s] Law School and have indeed added immensely to the richness of the intellectual and cultural life of the institution.”

Beginning in 2007, the Center hosts programs for lawyers, students and community participants as well as promoting scholarship in the field of international law. The Center encourages stimulation, promotion and dissemination of quality writing and research materials in the field of international legal and comparative law studies.

“Working with students for over 45 years to prepare them to work in the areas of public interest, human rights, equity, justice, and world peace, is the most rewarding part of my life. I should add that I have been very fortunate to work closely with many groups that are actively engaged in assisting refugees and displaced persons, indigenous peoples, and those suffering from ethnic conflicts, and other vulnerable individuals and communities.”

Along with his students and colleagues, Nanda has presented petitions to the United Nations, other international organizations, and several national governments, and he also works individually and with colleagues in bringing cases in national courts on behalf of needy and persecuted individuals and groups.

Jay Sim, Nanda’s student said, “He is the most humble and caring person I’ve had the chance to get to know at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.”

“He is always willing to listen to students and purely sincere in his efforts to assist his students. He equally respects students and faculty members alike.

"In the legal field of international law, his vast achievements and experience cannot be measured. Nevertheless, it is his sincere willingness to teach and share with his students his experience that sets him apart.”

Professor Nanda has taught his students that it is not what you know or what accolades you’ve been honored with that is important but rather, your true greatness is recognized when you are able to contribute all of your attributes in constant pursuit of making a difference in your community. Professor Nanda proudly represents the Asian community not only with his achievements but with his modesty and his dedication.

Phong Vo started the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center (CACHC), a nonprofit organization, in 2005. Since then, he has been teaching cultural traditions such as Chinese lion dancing, dragon dancing, and music for free to students ages 8 and up. Students of various ages, backgrounds, and regions have come to be a part of CACHC. Vo tailors his lessons to focus not only on lion and dragon dancing, but also on life-skills. Every lion dance practice focuses on respect, cultural growth, responsibility, and perseverance.

He dedicates time to community service not only in his organization, but at his job as a Deputy Sheriff, where he helps the Asian and Hispanic community by serving as a translator at the City Jail and the new Justice Center.

Vo’s student Gina Lafferty said, “Phong has made a positive impact on not only the Asian community, but the Colorado community overall. The Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center’s students have participated in performances and events all over the Colorado region.”

“His dream has always been focused on contributing to a culturally strong Asian community. With his strong and ‘make-it-happen’ personality, he has been able to build an organization that preserves Asian culture. This preservation has been possible not only because of public performances, but also because of his dedication to passing on his knowledge to younger generations.”

Vo has dedicated his time not only to the Asian community, but to the youth of Colorado. He empowers them to learn and participate in the community. His dream has brought color and diversity to the Colorado community.

True to his character, in acceptance of this award, Vo said, “I am proud to be a hero but I  strive to be more humble and don’t desire to be called one. I represent  the  Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center (CACHC), who are the true recipients of this award.”

“It is my great honor and will always be a treasured memory that I have been selected to receive such recognition on behalf of our people, Asian Americans.”

He continued, “My goal is to keep volunteering to teach free of charge the culture and arts of dragon and lion dance, martial arts, Vietnamese language, Asian cultures, ethics, and the most selfless Asian tradition of all, to give back to your fellow man through communities service, and I want to build a bridge between the American and Asian cultures. I hope to make America a better and safer place to live so that parents don’t have to worry about what their kids are involved in, who their friends are, or where they are at all hours of the day or night.”

In five short year, the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center has grown from an organization of less than ten members into an organization with more than fifty students.

Lafferty said, “Watching him lead the organization towards greater horizons has shown me that dedication and perseverance is essential in achieving any goal.Phong Vo has taught me that giving up in the face of your dreams and goals is never an option. This is a lesson that he encourages by regularly practicing it himself.”

Coming to the United States from Vietnam, he knew that he wanted to be in law enforcement. He also knew that he wanted to teach youth the art of lion

dancing and dragon dancing. He made these dreams come true.

“A lot of people have their own dreams, whether to make a lot of money, have success in their businesses or what ever reaches their goals in life. They are happy with those but my goal is different. I am most fulfilled when I see my students practice hard on the arts of the Dragon & Lion dance, learning the cultures and volunteering to help other communities (not only Asian communities). When they are happy and they share with their friends at school and with their families how fulfilling life is when they are generous; that’s when I am most fulfilled in my own journey. They treat each other like family members.

“Another thing that makes me feel good is when parents come up to me and tell me that their children are doing much better in school, their children are more open minded now, they’re more respectful, more active, safe and healthy. Further, they are honored by what their children are doing with the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center Dragon & Lion Dance Troupe.”

“It’s my profound honor to be recognized as a 2010 Asian American Hero of Colorado,” said Dennis Apuan, Colorado State Representative, House District 17, SE Colorado Springs. “The struggle for liberation and justice is unending; the work of our hands often thankless and demanding; and the hours are long and often unrecognized.

“While such endeavor isn’t meant to gain fame or recognition, this award is certainly ennobling, affirming, and life-sustaining... like bread for the journey.”

Nominated by his Legislative Aide, Aubrey Helling, she shares that Rep. Apuan possesses genuine compassion for all of humanity, and seeks to understand how U.S. foreign policy impacts other nations and its people.

“He has literally risked his life and limb while traveling to war zones in order to participate in fact-finding missions.”

In 2002, he participated in an American delegation organized by Witness For Peace to Colombia, Latin America, to understand the so-called “war on drugs.” In 2003, he was a part of another American delegation organized by Christian Peacemaker Teams and lived in Israel and Palestine, escorting children so they could avoid harassment by Israeli settlers while on their way to school. In 2004, he traveled to Jamaica to understand the impact of globalization and free trade. Upon his return to the U.S. from these overseas fact-finding trips, Apuan never failed to lobby his congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. to share his life-transforming experiences.

Rep. Apuan is a widely respected voice in the southern Colorado community, including Colorado Springs and Pueblo. He is currently serving on the boards of directors of various nonprofit and educational institutions, including the American Civil Liberties Union Colorado Springs Chapter, the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs Diversity Leadership Team, the Matrix Center, the Pikes Peak Immigrant Collaborative, and the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum.

In 2005, Apuan was invited by the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in Mumbai, India, to be join the historic 75th anniversary commemoration and reenactment of Gandhi’s Salt March. He lived in India for a month, immersed himself in Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence, walked thousands of miles while recreating the historic Salt March from Ahmnabad to Gujarat. When he returned to the U.S., he shared his insights with the local community on creating a culture of peace and nonviolence, and taught conflict resolution skills.

“There is no greater calling than to be of service to others,” said Apuan. “To that end I constantly ask myself the same wisdom Dr. Martin Luther King have pondered decades ago, ‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?’”

“I believe I have helped others by being a voice for those who could not speak for themselves, or for those whose voices are not being heard. It is ironic that once we truly give up on the things we think we need to find ourselves that we gain them all, and that our lives are blessed more abundantly, even as we become a blessing to others.”

Prior to becoming a lawmaker, Apuan implemented a statewide grassroots strategy to oppose Amendment 46 in 2008, which sought to end affirmative action programs throughout the state of Colorado. Because of his untiring grassroots efforts in building diverse and bipartisan coalitions, and promoting community outreach and education campaigns, the ballot initiative was ultimately defeated, signaling a historic victory for Colorado as the only state to have fought and won similar anti-civil rights initiatives backed by out-of-state interests.

As the first Filipino-American to be elected to serve in the Colorado legislature, his voting record in the 2009 legislative session is testament to his deeply held conviction of expanding the circle of opportunity for all, believing that his immigrant experience has now come into a full circle.

Helling said, “He is a fantastic example of the “American Dream,” and believes everybody should have the right in the pursuit of happiness. He came to this country with very little and now is serving an elected office which he considers a sacred trust from the people.”