After her gold-medal performance in the women’s individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, gymnast Sunisa Lee will get her own day in her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Mayor Melvin Carter announced that the city will honor the first Hmong American (pronounced “mung”) Olympic champion by declaring Friday as Sunisa Lee Day.
“Whereas, we join members of our Hmong American community, along with all those in St. Paul, throughout the state of Minnesota, across our nation, and around the world in celebrating Sunisa Lee, and in thanking her for inspiring all of us,” the mayor’s declaration said. “Now, therefore, I, Melvin Carter, Mayor of St. Paul, do hereby proclaim Friday, July 30, 2021 to be: Sunisa Lee Day in the City of St. Paul.”
Saint Paul is excited to join all those across our state, nation, and world in celebrating our first Hmong American Olympic champion! I have declared tomorrow Sunisa Lee Day in the City of Saint Paul! Congratulations, @sunisalee_ , thank you for inspiring us all! pic.twitter.com/hmpmsouNfP
— Mayor Melvin Carter (@MayorCarter) July 29, 2021
The Twin Cities are home to a Hmong population of 65,000, the largest population in a metropolitan location in the United States. Many within the community arrived as refugees from Laos.
In Minnesota, Lee’s performance in the all-around competition was viewed by hundreds of family members, friends and supporters. It was an iconic moment for a thriving community.