Recognizing May 2019 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 significant contributions to the development of the arts, sciences, government, commerce, and education in the City.

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, Golden Spike Day, the first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed with significant contributions from Chinese pioneers; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American population grew faster than any other racial or ethnic group over the last decade. There are approximately 21,000,000 Asian Americans and approximately 1,500,000 Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders, making up nearly 6 percent of the total population of the United States; and

WHEREAS, In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, there are more than 435,000 citizens who trace their roots to Asia and the Pacific Islands; and

WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, between 2000 and 2010, both Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations grew significantly, increasing 43 percent and 32 percent, respectively. By 2017, there were approximately 111,500 Asian Americans and 800 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders residing in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Asian American and Pacific Islander Community of Philadelphia is a diverse and dynamic group of 25 different ethnicities that impacts 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 C ITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes May 2019 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 significant contributions to the development of the arts, sciences, government, commerce, and education in the City.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia for its leadership and dedication to the betterment of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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