History of BAAT
It started innocently enough, back on Sunday April 14th, 1985 when approximately 50
Burmese Adults and children celebrated the Annual Water Festival at Bear Creek Park
in Houston, Texas. Ironically, the water festival was doused by a heavy downpour of rain.
The notion of a more organized celebration was born that day. In the following year
on April 20th, 1986 estimated 100 people attended an organized picnic at Bear Creek Park.
A Formal Organization was formed in 1989, and Articles of Incorporation for the Burmese
American Association of Texas (BAAT) was submitted to the Secretary of State of Texas in
March 1989. The first Board of Directors consisted of Norman Zaw Wong, Min Jack Tham and
Peter Saw.
A Charter was granted by the State of Texas on April 13th 1989. The Internal Revenue
Service has granted the BAAT exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(a) on February 1990.
BAAT Mission Statement
To establish a multi-ethnic, non-denominational activity center called the
Burmese Cultural Center of
Texas to promote
Burmese culture, language,
literature, and works of art by equipping it with a library in order to educate
the public at large in Burmese
culture through reading and self-exploration.
To sponsor and invite well-known Burmese
scholars, artists, musicians, and religious and spiritual philosophers to conduct and present
seminars, classes, and educational workshops with the purpose of promoting and educating the
public on various facets of Burmese culture.
To promote and foster friendship, fellowship, and racial harmony between the
Burmese and all other racial and ethnic groups
living in the United States of America through cross-cultural social activities that engender
cultural interactions amongst a diverse community.
To help eliminate prejudice and discrimination and establish fraternal relations amongst
members of the community by encouraging and advancing cultural diversity and tolerance towards
ethnic and racial differences through cultural awareness programs and social activities.
To assist the Burmese immigrants in learning
the English language and provide the upward mobility necessary to improve their socio-economic conditions.
2010 - 2011 Officers
| Position | Officer | Phone # |
|---|---|---|
| President | U Stephen Yoe | |
| VP Executive | Daw Thant Zin Han | 713-392-9929 |
| Secretary I | U Kyi Min | |
| Secretary II | U Myat Kyaw | 281-409-3592 |
| Treasurer | Daw Terry Win | |
| VP Finance | U Robert Chan | 281-242-8915 |
| VP Social | U Shwe Tun Aung | 713-447-0438 |
| VP Dallas | U Molly Win | 817-292-3969 |
| VP Austin | Daw Wah Wah Myint | 512-451-2348 |
| VP San Antonio | Dr. Tin Aung Hla | 210-490-0519 |
| Resettlement Committe | Daw Lilian Min | 832-633-9598 |
Board of Directors
| Directors |
|---|
| Dr. Thein Kyaw |
| U David Teoh |
| U Norman Zaw Wong |
| U Than Shwe |
| U Victor Pe Win |
| Daw Khin Thein Yi |
| Daw Aye Aye Kyi |
| U Sammy Thane |