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, May was chosen in recognition 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 from Chinese workers; and
WHEREAS, Based on the most recent 2022 United States Census Bureau population estimates, there are 128,515 members of the AAPI community residing in Philadelphia County, accounting for roughly 8.2% of the population. 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, AAPI-owned and operated businesses and organizations are keystones of so many communities from Chinatown and Mayfair to every neighborhood across the City; and
WHEREAS, Let the month of May serve as a period of reflection and understanding in which all citizens of Philadelphia are encouraged to learn about the culture, heritage, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including their ongoing struggles and challenges that are inextricably tied to the history of the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, that it hereby proclaims May 2022 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Philadelphia to pay tribute to the rich history and significant contributions made by generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our Country, Commonwealth, and City; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Northeast Philadelphia Development Cooperation as evidence of the admiration and respect of this body.
End