Recognizing May 2015 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their invaluable contributions to enhancing the City's culture, economy, and the founding ideals of independence and democracy.

WHEREAS, Section 102 of Title 36, United States Code, officially designates May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and authorizes the President to issue each year a proclamation calling on the People of the United States to observe this special month; and

WHEREAS, The month of May was chosen because of two important historical dates in Asian American and Pacific Islander history: on May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and on May 10, 1869, the building of the transcontinental railroad was completed due to significant contributions of Chinese workers; and

WHEREAS, Asians first settled in the United States around 1750 when Filipino sailors settled in what would later be Louisiana. Today, the United States is home to nearly 19 million Asian Americans and 1.4 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has grown to over 300,000 citizens; and

WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, between 2000 and 2010, both Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations grew significantly, increasing 43% and 32%, respectively; Philadelphia has nearly 110,000 Asian Americans and over 3,100 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; and

WHEREAS, The Pan Asian Association of Greater Philadelphia will hold its 9th Annual Asian American Pacific American Heritage Month Festival on May 9, 2015 in Franklin Square Park where participants will experience Asian culture and many other facets of Philadelphia's vibrant and dynamic Asian American and Pacific Islander community; and

WHEREAS, All citizens of Philadelphia are encouraged to participate in learning about the rich heritage and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes May 2015 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their invaluable contributions to enhancing the City's culture, economy, and the founding ideals of independence and democracy.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to The Pan Asian Association of Greater Philadelphia further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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