Mangaluru/Chicago: It is a proud moment for all the Mangaloreans, where our very own Dr. Austin (Prabhu) D’Souza has been honoured by the Mayor with his own street sign in Forest Park. Dr. Austin is the resident of Forest Park for the past 37 years and involved in many organizations and associations for the betterment of its citizens.
Mayor in his letter to the President of The Forest Kala Sampath Lions Club said, “Thank you for your letter dated November 13th, 2017 in which you asked that Dunlop Avenue from Harrison Street to York be named in honor of Dr. Austin (Prabhu) D’Souza. I could not think of a better qualifier for this type of honor and it would be my pleasure to move forward with this presentation. I am, however, going to ask that we conduct this ceremony in the spring of 2018 due to the frigid temperatures in the Chicago region at this time of the year. Towards that end, I have asked my assistant to reach out to you early April to begin making formal arrangements for the event. In addition to the official unveiling of a street sign, I will also be drafting an official resolution to be adopted by the Village Council in this honor and I hope that his family and friends can be present for the meeting and the unveiling.”
Anthony Calderone, mayor of Forest Park recognized Dr. Austin’s selfless dedicated social service to less fortunate to make their life a better place to live for tomorrow. His leadership is recognized all over the world and recently he has been named as the “International Konkani Icon” at the program held at the Milagres College, Kallianpur by Valley Quadras where prominent Konkani writers gathered.
About Austin Prabhu:
Austin has been an outstanding leader throughout his 39 years of Lionism. He has served at the Club, District, State and International levels doing an outstanding job at all levels. The Forest Kala Sampath Lions Club bestowed upon him a Life Membership from The International Association of Lions Clubs in July, 2005 for his dedication and hard work for Lionism.
As a Sector Coordinator for Sight First II Campaign who stood third in sector wise total collections in the United States. Currently he is a Multiple District 1 Alert Chairman and also Lions of Illinois State e-Magazine Editor who took this magazine to a higher level of appreciation from Lions of Illinois. He was the Official Photographer for USA-Canada Lions Leadership Forum 2016 which held in Omaha, Nebraska where more than 2,000 Lions from USA and Canada were in attendance.
Twice as a Governor and Vice Council Chairman, he showed his leadership skills in making special programs like Lions Open University, VisionFirst and Tsunami Relief Fund and made them great successful programs this. He is a visionary and a missionary to dedicate his service to Lionism.
He has been a resident of Forest Park since 1981 and has been married to his wife Lion Terry for thirty six years. Together they have four children, Anita-Sr. Project Manager, Abbott Laboratories; Anil-Vice President of Goldman Sachs; Atina-Accounts Executive, Procter & Gamble; and Angel-New Accounts Strategist, Google who are all Lions. Lion Austin is a writer, actor, public speaker, publisher and a true leader with multi skills, knowledge and experience.
Lion Austin has volunteered in his home community of Forest Park for the past thirty-three years. He was the member of St. Bernadine Parish Council & School Board, Forest Park Neighborhood Watch, Friends of the Library, Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, Main Street and Forest Park Citizens Police Academy. He came first in his age category 65-69 twice this and last year in 5K Run for Breast Cancer in Stickney.
Lion Austin was also two terms president of India Catholic Association of America, one-time secretary of Federation of Indian Associations in Mid-America, Treasurer of The Federation of Indo-American Christian Associations of North America, Director of New Republic of India, International, Advisor of International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England, Editor and publisher of three local news magazines in India, chairman, Leadership Day Prayer Committee, Archdiocese of Chicago, etc. His biography published in several national & international magazines and websites including Who’s Who in the World by Marquis, USA.
Lion Austin received Award from the President of India in December 2009 in Mangalore for promoting Konkani culture and literary contributions through his books and articles in the US; He received ‘Millennium Leadership Award’ from Federation of Indian Associations in 2000 and a Leadership Award by Bishop of Mangalore-India, also in 2000. He was named as Asian American Hall of Fame in 2003 for Community Service. Received special award for his literary contributions in 2004 in Dubai and Chicago Mayor’s Award in 2005 for organizing ‘Vision First’ for Chicago Public School children. Lion Austin’s family received Asian American Humanitarian Family of the Year 2005 Award from Asia TV Chronicle. He is also a Certified Public Service TV Program Producer by Comcast Public Television. Lion Austin & Terry received Distinguished Couple Award from Chicago Filipino American Lions Club. Lion Terry and Austin were named as “Lifetime Asian Humanitarian Couple 2013” by Asian Chronicle, USA.
