Sequoia and Kings Canyon Park & Samlaut Park

Dignitaries from the Cambodian government will be standing under the big trees of the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Forest on Tuesday to sign a five-year agreement establishing a "sister park" relationship between Sequoia National Park and the Samlaut Multiple Use Area in Cambodia.
Actress Angelina Jolie had everything to do with it.
"Without her, it could not happen," said Sopheaktra Nou of Fresno, executive director of the Fresno Cambodian Reconciliation Committee.
"She is a really kind lady. On behalf of the Cambodians of Fresno, I would like to thank Angelina Jolie and the staff of the Sequoia Kings National Parks."
Neither Jolie nor Brad Pitt, father of their daughter born in May, will attend, park officials said.
Because Pitt famously spent time in Three Rivers while married to Jennifer Aniston, locals have wondered whether Pitt played a role in uniting Cambodia with Sequoia, said parks spokeswoman Alexandra Picavet.
"We've all talked about it," Picavet said.
"It would be speculation on my part."
It's a fact that Jolie adopted a Cambodian child, now named Maddox, from Samlaut, Cambodia. Jolie established the Maddox Jolie Pitt environmental project to save the forests around Samlaut, where illegal logging and gem mining have ravaged the land.
The sister-park idea emerged when Stephan Bognar, executive director of the MJP project, contacted the National Park Service in December 2005 to ask whether it would train Samlaut's rangers.
"Stephan approached us with the idea of sister parks. We were delighted," said Pacific West region spokeswoman Holly Bundock.
Both parks have trespassers — Sequoia with marijuana growers, and Samlaut with loggers and miners, Bundock said.
The agreement allows park rangers from Cambodia to shadow Sequoia rangers.
The Cambodian Reconciliation Committee is sending a bus of 30 local Cambodians and students from California State University, Fresno, to attend the signing ceremony at 11a.m.
About 7,000 Cambodians live around Fresno, Nou said, and most have never been to the national park.
The Cambodian Dance Troupe from Fresno have perform a ceremonial dance. Buddhist monk Saray Keo from Fresno deliver a blessing in traditional robes.
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph Mussomeli sign the agreement on behalf of the United States.
ARTISTS MAKE CUT: Artists John Sundstrom of Woodlake and Varian Mace of Visalia each had artwork accepted into the 51st Annual International Open Exhibition "Bold Expressions," running Oct. 3-28 at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center.
Only 100 pieces were accepted into the juried show. Submissions came from across the country and worldwide. Sundstrom's is a mixed media from his kimono series, and Mace got the nod for an abstract watercolor. Lewis Griswold's column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at Source URL:http://www.crcfresno.org/node/33
Links:[1] http://www.crcfresno.org/mailto:lgriswold@fresnobee.com

Reconciliation: Cambodian Reconciliation Committee

Reconciliation: Cambodian Reconciliation Committee

KI Media

KI Media
Dear Sir or Madame:

On behalf of Cambodian Reconciliation Committee, we would like to invite you.
Who wants to go to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park on 10-03-06.
Leave from Fresno : 8:00 AM
Free foods ( Limited )
Free transportation ( Limited )
Free Admission
Will meet with : H.E. Mok Mareth Cambodian Minister of environment
H.E. Joseph A. Mussomeli U.S.Ambassador H.E. Tea Chup Undersecretary of state
H.E . Chai Samith Director of DNCP
H.E. Auv Phiak Project Manager
H.E. Stephan Bognar Executive Director of MJP
U.S Forest president and more
For more information please contact:
Mr. Yath Im (559) 456-0684
Mr. Tol Keo (559) 252-1112
Mr. Mckinley Nou (559)456-4822
Mr. Sokhorn Phang (559) 441-7179

Thank you.

CRC
Visit the website : www.crcfresno.org

Cambodian Reconciliation Committee

Cambodian Reconciliation Committee (CRC) was established in 1999 by Mr. Sopheaktra Nou and a group of dedicated young and old Khmer citizens. The members voluntarily help put this organization together for the Khmer community in Fresno County. Not only that they wanted to help reunite the community, but to help those who are in needs and has problems that they can not solve it on their own due to the lack of the English language. Above all, CRC action is centered upon the need to build harmony and cohesion among Cambodian people.
CRC is a new organization dedicated to help serve the community of both elderly and young Khmer American. Since1999, the CRC has persisted and grown. In 2001, the State and Federal Government have granted non-profit status.
CRC also center their goal on education. Both the Executive Director and the committee, organized Cambodian High School Commencement every year to teach Khmer graduates the importance of a higher education. We believe strongly that learning is the foundation for the reconstruction of Khmer's society in America.
Khmer population in Fresno is the smallest community in nationwide. For this reason, CRC think it is time to help bring back our Khmer people together once again!
Did you know the famous Ancient Architect in Cambodia is called Angkor Wat? This symbol signified a powerful meaning for Khmer community to reunite and help support our own people.