President's Remarks 2025
 

By Dr. Sathya Pholy, President of Cambodia Town Lowell

 

"Good evening, ladies, gentlemen, and honored guests.

On behalf of Cambodia Town Lowell, I want to welcome you to our Inauguration celebration gala.

In 2010, the city of Lowell designated Cambodia Town Lowell to honor the Cambodian American community's contributions and its role in revitalizing the Lower Highlands neighborhood and the rest of the city. A Cambodia Town Committee was established in 2011 to promote economic and cultural growth, led by Dr. Seng Ly as its first President. In 2014, Ms. Anabelle Satuka Pholy was elected President and in 2015, Cambodia Town Lowell Inc. was granted the nonprofit status of 501(c)(3).

Tonight, I would like to salute both former presidents, Dr. Seng Ly and Ms. Anabelle Satuka Pholy, for their leadership and commitment to Cambodia Town Lowell.

The City of Lowell is home to the second largest Cambodian American community in the US

outside of Cambodia. With this, we have a great opportunity and responsibility to turn Cambodia Town Lowell into the destination for education and cultural tourism. Our ultimate mission and vision within the next five years is to build a Cambodian American Cultural and Memorial Museum in the heart of Cambodia Town Lowell. The museum project is not just to unite Cambodian Americans everywhere regardless of their socioeconomic status and/or political affiliation, but it is a project of respect, reflection, and healing from their tumultuous past.

Additionally, Cambodia Town Lowell, in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Middlesex Community College, and other institutions, aims to establish a Center for Khmer Studies. The Center for Khmer Studies will promote and encourage scholarly cultural research, economic development, and advancement for Cambodian Americans. We will work closely with the City of Lowell to establish Cambodia Town Lowell zoning for the purpose of economic development and cultural tourism. We envision the City of Lowell designating Cambodia Town Lowell zoning from Thorndike Street all the way to School Street via Middlesex Street and Branch Street.

Lastly, we will eventually build a Gateway off Thorndike Street, Middlesex Street, School Street, and Branch Street. We believe these initiatives will not only honor the rich heritage of the Cambodian American community but also pave the way for a brighter future for everyone involved.

As we gather here tonight, we celebrate not only our past achievements but also our bright future. We stand on the shoulders of our predecessors and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose. Our efforts to improve the community through cultural and economic initiatives are aimed at creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

In our commemoration of 50 years since the Khmer Rouge Regime, I am proud to announce that presently, there are at least 200 Cambodian American businesses within the greater Lowell areas. The City of Lowell had produced its first Cambodian American Mayor and more than ever before, we have had numerous Cambodian Americans Representatives in the state of Massachusetts in addition to numerous more Cambodian Americans who represented in City Councils and School Committees. I am very proud to see Cambodian American Everywhere across the United States get elected to offices, graduating from colleges and becoming leaders in their own community. There are young Cambodian American entrepreneurs, artists and athletes who are starting to compete at the national and international level. There are more Cambodian Americans who owning their homes and improve on their living standard. I am proud more than ever to be Cambodian American. But the work is not done. We cannot be complacent. Let’s put party affiliation and our differences aside and put our families and community first. And tonight, there are two outstanding individuals and families that has had impactful in the development of Cambodia Town and its community that I’d like to recognize them."