Carnegie honors 38 'Great Immigrants' on America's birthday

CARNEGIE CORPORATION of New York released its annual list of “Great Immigrants, Great Americans”comprised of 38 naturalized citizens who enrich the fabric of American culture and strengthen democracy through their lives, their work, and their example.

Among the eight AAPI honorees included this year are an actor, a congresswoman and a Nobel Prize winner. 

“Andrew Carnegie understood that immigrants come here to be a part of America, not apart from America” said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York. “In their faith, their love of family, and their patriotism for their adopted land, these Great Immigrants have done so much — and will do so much more in the future. For this, and for all their contributions, we respect, admire, and celebrate them.” 

The 2018 Great Immigrants from Asia are:

• Bernard Cherkasov Executive Director, Cradles to Crayons (Azerbaijan)
• Du Yun, Composer and Performer, Pulitzer Prize in Composition (China)
• Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Congresswoman, Washington, District 7 (India)
• Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Founder, Chairwoman, and CEO, Care.com (Philippines)
• Shuji Nakamura, Engineer, Nobel Prize in Physics (Japan)
• Kumail Nanjiani, Actor and Writer (Pakistan)
• Eugene H. Trinh, Astronaut and Biochemist (Vietnam)
• Hans Tung, Managing Partner, GGV Capital (Taiwan)

Every Fourth of July since 2006, the Corporation has sponsored the public awareness initiative to commemorate the legacy of our founder, Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie, who believed strongly in both immigration and citizenship. Today the Great Immigrants tribute is an archive of accomplishment featuring more than 500 exemplary naturalized U.S. citizens. 

For 2018, the honorees represent nearly 30 different countries of origin, a range of personal immigration experiences, and high-level leadership in numerous fields, all of them united through their experience of becoming Americans. 

The honorees will be recognized with a full-page public service announcement in the New York Times', July 4th edition.

For the complete list of Carnegie honorees, click here.

________________________________________________________________________________