Abraham coined the word PIO.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: The Connecticut State Assembly honored veteran Indian American community activist Dr. Thomas Abraham, the founder president of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), and who coined the word PIO (Person of Indian Origin), in 1989, in Hartford, CT, last week.
The official citation, signed by Connecticut Assembly Speaker Brendan Sharkey and Secretary of State Denise Merrill, says Abraham is being recognized for his dedicated service in helping the South Asian Indian community in becoming the strength of America.
The citation was presented on February 7th evening at the Indian Republic Day celebration, organized by Milan Cultural Association, at the Connecticut Legislative Assembly building in Hartford.
The State Assembly was represented by Assemblymen Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, Mark Tweedie and Russ Morin.
An honor plaque was also presented to Abraham by Milan which was also recognized by the Assembly for its service to the community and society.
Abraham, 64, Chairman Emeritus of GOPIO too, is also president of Innovative Research and Products, Inc., based in Stamford, CT.
Abraham has been past president of the National Federation of Indian-American Associations (NFIA) and the Federation of Indian Associations (the New York tristate area), apart from leading other South Asian-origin associations. He was also the co-chairman of the Jagdish Bhagwati Chair for Indian Political Economy at Columbia University, from 1992-2000.
Abraham stays with his wife, Dr. Susy Abraham, a geriatrician at Sarah Neuman Rehabilitation and Health Center division Jewish Home and Hospital in Mamaroneck, New York and has a daughter Nitya, a urology resident at New York University School of Medicine and a son, Jay, who is a design engineer with Pratt & Whitney.