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May 2022 as Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a month to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans to American history, society and culture; and
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill in June of 1977. In 1979 President Carter issued Presidential Proclamation 4650, proclaiming the week beginning on May 4, 1979 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week; and
WHEREAS, President Obama issued Presidential Proclamation 8369 proclaiming May 2009 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and
WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese residents to the United States in 1843. In addition, May also marks the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, which was built with the labor of mostly Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders comprise many ethnicities and languages, and their many achievements embody the American experience and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are leaders in all aspects of American life including government and industry, science and medicine, the arts and Armed Forces, and education and sports; and
WHEREAS, the San Leandro community has greatly benefitted through the cultural richness, diversity, and generosity of its local Asian Americans and Pacific Islander and celebrates their contributions through various public programs and events each year.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pauline Russo Cutter, Mayor of the City of San Leandro, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month” in San Leandro.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of San Leandro to be affixed this 2nd day of May 2022