Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natacha Seijas, Chair of the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium (ITC), will receive the Gold Medal award from The American Institute of Polish Culture (AIPC), the highest distinction given annually by the AIPC, on January 30, 2010, during the 38th International Polonaise Ball being held at the Surf Club in Miami Beach, FL. Commissioner Seijas will be one of three recipients awarded the Gold Medal. The AIPC is organizing the Ball under the gracious patronage of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States. Several distinguished guests from the U.S. and all over the world will be in attendance including former Polish President Walesa, King Kigeli V of Rwanda, Princess Bernadotte of Sweden, and Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie of Ethiopia, in addition to various Consular Corps members and world renowned scientists and artists.
The Board of Directors of AIPC chose Commissioner Seijas to receive this honor because of her many contributions towards promoting Polish business and supporting the music of Fryderyk Chopin. In past years, many prominent personalities have received the AIPC’s Gold Medal award including former Polish President Lech Walesa, Composer Krzysztof Penderecki, Astronaut Dr. Scott Parazynski, and Professor Aleksander Wolszczan.
Over the past couple years, Miami-Dade and Poland have actively engaged in building cultural and economic linkages. In May 2008, ITC led its first mission to Poland, and as a result of an invitation extended by Commissioner Seijas, the following year ITC coordinated a high-level Polish trade mission to Miami-Dade. Poland is Miami-Dade County’s 74th trading partner, with total trade in 2008 of over $61 million, an increase of over 16% from the previous year. “I am deeply honored to have been chosen to receive this award which has been presented to so many distinguished personalities from all over the world. Bilateral relations between Poland and Miami-Dade continue to grow, and I look forward to moving ahead with our efforts to build cultural and economic ties between our communities,” Commissioner Seijas said.
Mrs. Blanka A. Rosenstiel founded the AIPC in 1972. The aim of the Institute is to share with Americans the rich heritage of Poland which has contributed in so many ways to Western civilization, as well as to promote the scientific and artistic endeavors of Polish-Americans.
It is the policy of Miami-Dade County to comply with all of the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act. The facility is ADA accessible. For sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices or materials in accessible format, please call 305-644-5127 at least five days in advance.
THE JAY MALINA INTERNATIONAL TRADE CONSORTIUM
Stephen P. Clark Center
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 2200
Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 375-1254