Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month
WHEREAS, May is "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month", a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders throughout the United States and City of Chicago; and
WHEREAS, The commemoration was born on October 5, 1978 when President Jimmy Carter signed a joint Congressional resolution designating Asian Pacific Heritage Week, an annual celebration of the seven day period beginning on May 4,1979; and
WHEREAS, In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to designate the entire month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. On May 1, 2009, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation which recalls the challenges faced by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and celebrates their great and significant contributions to society; and
WHEREAS, The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7,1843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10,1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Asian Pacific and Asian American people come from the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. All ethnicities and languages come together to celebrate their heritage through community festivals, government-sponsored events, and educational activities for all students. Dancing is a big part of the Asian and Pacific Islander American culture as well as sharing traditional meals, observing and appreciating their rich history; and
WHEREAS, The Asian and Pacific Islander American population constitutes a vital dimension of the commonwealth's diverse ethnic and social fabric whose languages, cultures and religious beliefs have enriched communities throughout Chicago. Asian and Pacific Islander American entrepreneurs strengthen our economy and our communities through their dedication and ingenuity, inspiring the next generation of American innovation; now, therefore
WHEREAS, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-third day of May, 2018, do hereby celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and the many contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders to our society.