�The world changed two weeks ago today,� said Dan Patel, chairman, AAHOA.  �Like most Americans, we are still stunned by the events that took place on September 11th.  Like most Americans, our thoughts and prayers are with those who were lost and those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, and we want to do all we can to help.�

AAHOA will give $50,001 to The New York Times 9/11 Neediest Fund.  The remaining $50,005 will be split evenly between five organizations: the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund; the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund; The New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund; The Salvation Army, Disaster Services; and the United Way of New York City.  Each donation is designed to end with the number one, a figure of good luck in the Indian culture shared by most of AAHOA�s members.

�Since the day of the attack the Indian community has been rallying in collective prayer vigils and fundraisers,� said Fred Schwartz, president, AAHOA.  �AAHOA has also been communicating with its members about other ways to help those in need and also about taking extra safety precautions.�

Sadly, occurrences of unfair attacks against members of the Asian community have made extra precautions necessary for these hotel owners.  While AAHOA�s members understand and share the hurt and anger felt by the American people, they are also faced with the extra concern of being unjustly blamed based on their race.

However, despite added safety concerns, AAHOA and its members have not lost hope: they live in the belief that the United States is a country based on tolerance, a country that derives its strength from diversity.

�We as Americans are a culture full of hyphens: African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Irish-Americans, you name it,� continued Patel, �but, on one of the darkest days of our lifetimes, a day that was meant to tear us apart as a nation, it only brought us together.�

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association was founded in 1989.  AAHOA has a membership base of more than 6,000 members who together own more than 35% (17,000) of the hotel properties in the United States.  The association provides year-round programs focusing on education, advocacy and assistance.