Celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the significant contributions of these communities to American history and culture.
Grace Meng
Representative
NY-6
This bill recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the significant contributions of these communities to the history and diversity of the United States. It acknowledges key milestones and the ongoing importance of these groups in various sectors, while also addressing historical discrimination and recent legislative efforts to combat hate crimes.
Resolution Designates May for AANHPI Heritage: Celebrating Contributions, Confronting History
This resolution officially locks in May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The main idea is to formally celebrate the massive contributions these communities have made to the story of the United States and to recognize their significant and growing population—now making up over 10% of everyone in the country, with over 25 million Asian Americans and around 1.8 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
More Than Just a Calendar Date
This isn't just a pat on the back; it's a formal acknowledgment, as officially designated in 36 U.S.C. 102, of the deep and varied impact these communities have. The resolution specifically calls out important anniversaries, like the 40th anniversary of Space Shuttle Discovery Mission STS51C, which included Ellison Shoji Onizuka, the first Asian American to venture into space. It’s about the nation taking a moment to appreciate the unique threads these groups have woven into the American tapestry, recognizing their role in enhancing the country's diversity and strength.
Spotlighting Achievements and Addressing Wrongs
The resolution also gives a nod to the significant roles Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in government and the Armed Forces. It further points to recent efforts to solidify this recognition, such as the United States Mint programs honoring trailblazers like actress Anna May Wong and Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui on our currency—literally putting their legacies into circulation. Importantly, this resolution doesn't gloss over the painful parts of history. It directly references the disturbing increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans and connects it to a legacy of discriminatory actions, such as the Act of March 3, 1875 (often known as the Page Act, which restricted Chinese immigration, particularly women) and Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Steps Toward Healing and Understanding
While acknowledging these historical wrongs and current challenges, the resolution also highlights positive legislative actions. It mentions the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, designed to improve the reporting and response to such incidents, and the establishment of the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act. These references show a commitment not just to remember, but to actively work towards greater understanding, education, and a more inclusive future by learning from the past.