Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the 40th Anniversary of Potomac Chinese School
Herbert Hoover Middle School, 8810 Post Oak Road, Potomac
As prepared
Good afternoon!
I am honored to be here today to help you celebrate this momentous occasion.
For 40 years the Potomac Chinese School has pursued its mission to inspire the general public to embrace knowledge of Chinese heritage; and our County provides fertile ground to bring that goal into full bloom.
Montgomery County is a diverse community. Asian Americans make up 15% of our population of more than one million people; and the County accounts for 58% of Maryland’s Chinese speakers and 57% of Maryland’s Chinese immigrants.
Our County also ranks #1 for Chinese immigrants among all the Counties in the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington combined statistical area (Also known as the DC metro region). In fact, we have more Chinese immigrants than Fairfax, DC, Prince George’s County, and Baltimore put together.
This presence in our Community is a key factor in what led to our development of a Sister City relationship with Xi'an, China – a beautiful city, which some of you may be aware, I have visited just a few years ago.
There, I was able to see firsthand some of the rich and beautiful culture the Potomac Chinese School endeavors to promote.
This wonderful school offers a variety of cultural classes to children and adults including Chinese martial art, Chinese calligraphy and painting, crafting and dancing and so much more that all serves to enrich our communities.
We are glad this school and its staff have called the County home for so long; but that is easy to do when you share common goals.
I want to congratulate the school on a job well done for the last 40 years and offer you, your hundreds of students, and all those you inspire my best wishes for the future.
Release ID: 16-052October 9, 2016; 3 p.m.