Morshed Alam, a political and social activist working in Queens, has been appointed to the Voter Assistance Commission, a New York city government agency that facilitates voter registration and participation.

The city council approved the appointment of Alam, who works in the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment in the city Department of Environmental Protection, by a unanimous vote on November 20. He will hold office till June 30, 2004.

On December 18, Alam was presented a city council proclamation recognising his appointment. "I feel proud," he told rediff.com before the awards ceremony in the city hall, "It is an honour to my work."

Alam, who migrated to the United States from Bangladesh in 1984, founded the New Americans Democratic Club in 1992. In 1998, he ran for the NY State Senate on the Democratic ticket and received 42 percent of the vote against Senator Frank Padavan.

He served on the local school board for over a decade, and worked with immigrant groups and community leaders. "It is an interesting, educating and rewarding process," he said.

At the city hall ceremony, councilman David Weprin described Alam as an "outstanding civic leader." He was also hailed for being active in voter registration.

As part of the 16-member VAC, Alam's foremost task will be to develop a good working relationship with different city departments and commissioners. "My goal is to reach out to all ethnic communities," he said. "Most of the voters are not registered. They don't understand the importance of it. This will be my priority."