Chivukula, D-17, Somerset, the state’s first Asian-Indian legislator, called the 150,000 dead and the millions left homeless "such a human tragedy, something you cannot imagine, that has brought us together here."

"The one common bond we have with those survivors 10,000 miles away is the humanity and human passion to help each other out in whatever way we can," he said.

Congressman Robert Menendez said that as senior member of the International Relations Committee in Washington, "I was happy to see what the United States government did after the urging of many of us who are members of the India caucus and the Sri Lanka caucus in the House of Representatives -- glad to see that the [Bush] administration moved the $35 million original amount, which we thought was far too inferior, to $250 million.

"But the American people individually have already contributed what their government has collectively done."

Menendez wants to create an international communications warning system, and an orphan fund, "so the children orphaned as a result of the earthquake and tsunami can hopefully have a future that is much brighter than it seems right now."

"It is an opportunity for the United States of America not only to show its military might to the world but show the goodness of America and its ability to really be an international leader in a totally different concept," he said.

Assistant state Attorney General John Hull agreed, quoting a letter from Gov. Richard Codey that said, "In the wake of such crisis, our better angels are revealed."

Plainsboro Township Mayor Peter Cantu said, "It is unfortunate that we have to be here today on such a tragedy of such magnitude."

His deputy mayor, Neil Lewis, promised, "We will do all we can to raise as much money as we can."

Committeewoman Ginger Gold-Schnitzer took the opportunity to single out a selfless teen volunteering at the event, "a Plainsboro volunteer extraordinaire, Kay Mashettiwar." He has just been appointed teen representative to the Plainsboro Human Relations Council.

Hamilton Township councilman Dan Benson called it "amazing how many people from around the world are coming together across borders and cultures -- the effects of what we do will last for many years to come."

Chivukula and Menendez praised the non-profit Nrithyanjali Institute of Dance, Asha for Education and the Plainsboro Arts Partnership for providing dazzling Indian, Thai, Indonesian and Sri Lankan dance performances for the crowd.

Institute President Ram Tirumala urged the concerned to "work together toward one common goal."

Chivukula and many in the mostly Indian audience had heavy hearts. But the assemblyman has been luckier than many in that the devastating earthquake and tsunami waves didn’t reach his loved ones.

"I was born in Nellore, [India], and grew up in Chennai, which we call Madras," he said later in an interview. "I’ve seen pictures of the devastation south of Chennai. The beaches are washed out, but not the town. Some towns are washed away. Some parts of my town are gone.

"My parents live there, my brother and sister. They’ll make it. They’re a little bit inland, so they’re okay. They live over four miles from the ocean; the water came in about two miles."