Asian American Business Roundtable Names Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey “Humanitarian of the Year”

Washington, DC, November 27, 2006: The Asian American Business Roundtable (AARB) named Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Ellen Sauerbrey  “Humanitarian of the Year” at a small private event in her office at the Department of State. The organization credits Mrs. Sauerbrey with opening the doors of the U.S. to Burmese refugees who had been all but forgotten for ten years or more in camps in Thailand. Mrs. Sauerbrey noted, “I was very honored to receive the award from the Asian Business Association, and of the work we have done to get the Karen, who are refugees from Burma, to be brought to the U.S. It is the result of a lot of effort by a lot of people. We are very happy to be able to welcome several thousands of Karen refugees this year.” Dr. Rawlein Soberano, President of the AABR, presented the award. From right to left: Dr. Rawlein Soberano, AARB President, Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey and Stephan Russo, AARB Vice President.