Recognizing May 2018 as Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their important 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 with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities; 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, Today, the United States is home to 20.9 million Asian Americans and 1.5 million Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American and Pacific Islander Community in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has grown to over 500,000 residents; 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. By 2016, Philadelphia had nearly 113,000 Asian Americans and over 3,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American and Pacific Islander Community of Philadelphia is a diverse and dynamic group of 25 different ethnicities that impact all facets of our great City; and

WHEREAS, All citizens of Philadelphia are encouraged to participate in learning about the rich heritage and the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that have been intrinsically woven into the American experience for over 170 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes May 2018 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 important 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 Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia for its leadership and dedication to the betterment of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community of Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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