On behalf of the Cambodian community in Illinois, the Board of Directors and the staff members of Cambodian Association of Illinois are expressing our appreciation and gratitude for a rare opportunity in joining the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and the Killing Fields Memorial to warmly welcome Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago City in her short visit on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Honorable Lori Lightfoot was with Board Directors and Staff members of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and the Killing Fields Memorial, Musicians and honored guests.
Her visit included touring the exhibit: Remembering the Killing Fields, lighting the candle to commemorate the Cambodian victims of nearly two million people who lost their lives in a terrified atrocity in Cambodia and to honor the survivors, watching Cambodian traditional music performance by the Cambodian traditional music ensemble, and giving her personal short reflection remark.
Accompanied by Mr. Chenda Taing, CAI’s Executive Director; Mrs. Sokhom Nuth, CAI’s Assistant Director and Finance Officer; and Mr. Savan Chan, CAI’s Vice President, Honorable Mayor Lightfoot is touring the Killing Field Exhibit that guided by Mr. Paul Chorm, Executive Director of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and the Killing Fields Memorial.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot in her proceeding to lighting the candlelight at the Killing Fields Memorial to commemorate the victims and to honor the survivors who have continued their journey with love, compassion and wisdom
Mayor Lightfoot watches the Khmer Traditional Music performed by Khmer Traditional Ensemble of the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and the Killing Fields Memorial
Listen to a reflection remark by Mayor Lightfoot at the conclusion of her visit
With her visit and her reflection our pain and sufferings in the past and how our community has been working to heal our own deep trauma, we are hoping that we are able to continue to contribute positively to the healing process of our Cambodian American community. Additionally, her visit may impact how Chicago City interacts with other community-based organizations and other key stakeholders to make Chicago a better place for the residents and a welcoming city for everybody as she mentioned in her remark at the end of her visit.