HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAPI Month May 2024Proclamation
“Asian American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month”
May 1 - 31, 2024
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a time to recognize the
contributions and achievements of Americans of Asians from across the Asian continent, Native Hawaiian,
and Pacific Island descent; and
WHEREAS, in the United States, Asian Pacific Heritage Week was first celebrated in 1979 and was
extended into AAPI Heritage Month in 1992; and
WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate
the immigration of the first Japanese citizen, Nakahama Manjiro, to the United States on May 7, 1843, but also
the anniversary of the May 10, 1869 completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad, built in-part with the
back-breaking labor of nearly 20,000 Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, today, more than 20 million AAPI members live in the United States; and
WHEREAS, we celebrate their achievements and contributions which enrich our history, society, and
culture through languages and religions and, make our community more vibrant, prosperous, and secure; and
WHEREAS, during AAPI Heritage Month we acknowledge the additional determination, hard work, and
perseverance AAPI put forth to be heard and seen; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation” and encourages local and
national governments to prioritize collaboration, development, diversity, transparency, and inclusion through
leadership training of AAPI people; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pete Serrano, Mayor of the City of Pasco, Washington, do hereby proclaim
May 1 through May 31, 2024 as
“Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Official Seal of the City of Pasco,
State of Washington, to be affixed this 6th day of May 2024.
Pete Serrano, Mayor
City of Pasco