East Village in Des Moines in Polk County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Robert D. Ray Asian Garden

Governor Robert D. Ray, 1928-2018

— Governor of Iowa 1969-1983 —

Robert D. Ray Asian Garden Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, November 6, 2022

1. Robert D. Ray Asian Garden Marker

Inscription.

Robert D. Ray Asian Garden. Governor Robert D. Ray, 1928-2018. , Enriching the tapestry of Iowa, its culture and economy, are over 40,000 refugees who have been resettled in Iowa since the 1970s. These hard-working and family oriented individuals have become our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. Their contributions have made and continue to make Iowa a better place to live. Refugee and immigrant-owned businesses throughout Central Iowa contribute $4.1 billion to the state economy each year, paying $349 million in local and state taxes. Refugees help to fill jobs in a multitude of industries, including meatpacking, hospitality, agriculture, medicine, education, manufacturing, nonprofits and other businesses. Refugees have helped to save rural communities by bringing employees, small businesses, students and more to small towns., It is shocking to learn the extraordinarily difficult plight of refugees. Often refugees spend 17 years in camps before being allowed to resettle. These camps lack many basic rights and many are desperately crowded and impoverished. Having fled conflict, disease, political violence and famine, refugees finally resettled in Iowa include peoples from: Sudan, Bosnia, Rwanda, Liberia, Burma, Bhutan, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Somali, Eritrea, and Congo. The top countries of origin of immigrants include those from Central and South America, China, and India., Forty percent of Iowa's population growth since 2010 has come from immigration. This is extremely important to a state that has experienced a declining population and workforce. The super-charged entrepreneurial activity of immigrants provides real and meaningful benefits to Iowans. Fifty percent of Fortune 500 companies based in Iowa were founded by immigrants or their children., As you look around at their faces, listen to their voices, visit their businesses, and benefit from the vast and complex nature of refugees' and immigrants' contributions, you can feel the pride, the warmth, and the gratitude of Iowa's community. This continues in the tradition of Governor Ray and in the tradition of a state open to welcoming the world., –Judith A. Conlin - 2021

Enriching the tapestry of Iowa, its culture and economy, are over 40,000 refugees who have been resettled in Iowa since the 1970s. These hard-working and family oriented individuals have become our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. Their contributions have made and continue to make Iowa a better place to live. Refugee and immigrant-owned businesses throughout Central Iowa contribute $4.1 billion to the state economy each year, paying $349 million in local and state taxes. Refugees help to fill jobs in a multitude of industries, including meatpacking, hospitality, agriculture, medicine, education, manufacturing, nonprofits and other businesses. Refugees have helped to save rural communities by bringing employees, small businesses, students and more to small towns.

It is shocking to learn the extraordinarily difficult plight of refugees. Often refugees spend 17 years in camps before being allowed to resettle. These camps lack many basic rights and many are desperately crowded and impoverished. Having fled conflict, disease, political violence and famine, refugees finally resettled in Iowa include peoples from:

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Sudan, Bosnia, Rwanda, Liberia, Burma, Bhutan, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Somali, Eritrea, and Congo. The top countries of origin of immigrants include those from Central and South America, China, and India.

Forty percent of Iowa's population growth since 2010 has come from immigration. This is extremely important to a state that has experienced a declining population and workforce. The super-charged entrepreneurial activity of immigrants provides real and meaningful benefits to Iowans. Fifty percent of Fortune 500 companies based in Iowa were founded by immigrants or their children.

As you look around at their faces, listen to their voices, visit their businesses, and benefit from the vast and complex nature of refugees' and immigrants' contributions, you can feel the pride, the warmth, and the gratitude of Iowa's community. This continues in the tradition of Governor Ray and in the tradition of a state open to welcoming the world.

–Judith A. Conlin - 2021

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 41° 35.587′ N,

Marker just south of the pagoda at the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, November 6, 2022

2. Marker just south of the pagoda at the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden

93° 37.044′ W. Marker is in Des Moines, Iowa, in Polk County. It is in East Village. It can be reached from the intersection of Robert D. Ray Drive and E. Center Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is near the south end of the garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines IA 50309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Robert D. Ray Asian Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam (within shouting distance of this marker); Tai Dam (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Robert D. Ray, 1928-2018 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hmong (about 500 feet away); Cambodia (about

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500 feet away); Laos (about 600 feet away); The First Licensed Ferry (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Moines.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.