DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Human Rights’ Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, will be hosting the Opening Event for the Smithsonian “Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon” Exhibit on Saturday, December 19, 2009 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at the Iowa State Historical Building on 600 East Locust, Des Moines.  Marking next year’s 35th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in Iowa, the Opening Event will raise awareness about the State’s pivotal role in welcoming Asian refugees and the gifts that those communities have brought and continue to bring to Iowa.  Featuring distinguished speakers, performances and storytelling by the Asian community, the event is open to the public and admission is free. 

“Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon," was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program to tell the story of the Vietnamese-American experience in America, from the significant influx in 1975 to the present.  It explores the themes of challenge, contribution and change, emphasizing the vibrant diversity of the Vietnamese-American community.  This traveling exhibit was previously shown at the Smithsonian’s S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C. and has toured California, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Missouri prior coming to Iowa.  The exhibit will be shown at the Iowa Historical Museum beginning December 19th and will continue to be on display through February 28, 2010.

The Opening Event will include distinguished speakers such as former Governor Robert D. Ray, who opened Iowa’s doors to over 13,000 Southeast Asian refugees in 1975, and Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of the World Food Prize Foundation and former staff member of Gov. Ray, who worked on Indochinese resettlement and was Executive Director of Iowa SHARES, which sent doctors, nurses, medical supplies and food to Cambodia and refugee camps in Thailand.

Vinh Nguyen, 48, of Des Moines, is a member if the Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage.  He said there are 9,000 to 10,000 Vietnamese-Americans in Iowa.  Many are refugees from Vietnam, like himself.