USA NEWS: Michigan Democratic Party awarded BADC Chairman Shahin with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award at the Annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Saturday, April 16^th at the historic COBO Hall in Detroit, Michigan.  This prestigious award honors an individual who works promoting the equality and inclusion of people for every race, color, creed and gender in the Democratic Party. The

The Jeff-Jack dinner is named after Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Jeff-Jack dinner is an annual Fund raising event for the Michigan Democratic Party.  Approximately 2000 people attended the Jeff-Jack dinner this year at the historic River View Ballroom of the COBO Hall in Detroit, MI. 

The Michigan Democratic Congressional leaders including US Senator Carl Levin, US Senator Debbbie Stabenow, US Congressman John Dingell, US Congressman John Conyers, US Congressman Sandy Levin, US Congressman Gary Peters, US Congressman Dale Keldee, US Congressman Hansen Clarke, Wayne County Executives Robert Ficano, Detroit City Mayor Dave Bing, Michigan House Democratic Leader Richard Hammel, Democratic State Senate Leader Gretchen Whitmer, International UAW President Bob King, former Lt. Governor John Cherry, former MDP Governor candidate Mayor  Virg Bernero, former Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson were among others who attended the dinner.  Among Bangladeshi American Democratic Caucus leaders who attend the dinner were Ripa Haq, Manzur Shafi Eleem, Towhida Haque Polly, Syeda Khan, Farzana ferdous, Syed Rob, Iqbal Fiaz Khan, Sulaiman Bahar, and Salim Ahmed.

The US Senator (Minnesota) Al Franken was the keynote speaker at the 2011 MDP Jeff-Jack dinner.  Wayne County Executives Robert Ficano, Detroit City Mayor Dave Bing, and US Congressman Hansen Clarke made the welcome speech followed by remarks from US Senator Carl Levin, US Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan House Democratic Leader Richard Hammel, and Democratic State Senate Leader Gretchen Whitmer.

MDP Chairman Mark Brewer kicked off the evening.  He introduced a roster of dignitaries, Precinct delegates, the Senior Citizen Volunteers, and the Jefferson-Jackson Day Award winners.  The 2011 Jefferson-Jackson Day winners are: Dorothy Johnson won the Neil Stabler Award, Ken Whittaker won the “Young Democrat” Award, Patricia Jones won the Distinguished Service Award, and Nazmul Hassan Shanin won the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award for promoting equality and inclusion of all people in the Democratic Party.  Mr. Shahin is the Chairman of the Bangladeshi American Democratic Caucus. 

MDP Chair Mark Brewer recognized BADC Chairman Shahin with some great remarks about him and his role in the Democratic Party.   Mr.   Brewer introduced Shahin with a remark, “ a son of an educator, freedom fighter, veteran politician, and a former Parliament member in Bangladesh.” 

Brewer said, “ Shahin got his interest in politics from his parents.”  He added, “As the Chairman of the Bangladeshi Democratic Caucus Shahin built a strong grass root political platform.  Under his leadership, the Bangladeshi Caucus and the Bangladeshi Democrats took active part in the 2008 Presidential Election for Barak Obama and also took part in the campaign for the Democratic Party candidates in the 2008 and 2010 elections.“  Mr. Brewer then presented BADC Chairman Shahin with a Certificate of the Award.  As the MLK Jr. Freedom Award winner, Shahin’s name will also be engraved into the plaque that hangs at Hart Kennedy House in Lansing, Michigan.

It is to mention here that Mr. Shahin is the eldest son of former Member of Bangladesh Parliament (Comilla – 5) Professor Mohammed Yunus and Lutfunnessa Yunus.  Mr. Shahin is a Senior Industrial Engineer working for Ford Motor Company in Michigan.  He is expecting to complete his PhD degree from the Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.  Shahin’s wife Farzana Ferdous is an IT specialist working for the University of Michigan in Anna Arbor.  They have two beautiful children Samin (9) and Safaat (4).  The couple lives in Belleville, Michigan.