1 RESOLUTION NO. 2025- __
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ANAHEIM RECOGNIZING THE MIDDLE EASTERN AND
NORTH AFRICAN COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING
ASSEMBLY BILL 91 “MENA INCLUSION ACT”
WHEREAS, the City of Anaheim strives to be an inclusive and equitable city that supports all its residents, regardless of racial, ethnic, or cultural background; and WHEREAS, Anaheim is home to more than 20,000 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) individuals of different nationalities and origins from the MENA region, all contributing to the city’s cultural, economic, and social fabric; and WHEREAS, the MENA community in Anaheim has been instrumental in shaping the local economy, particularly in the business, healthcare, technology, education, and service industries, as well as through the establishment of Little Arabia, a cultural and economic hub; and
WHEREAS, data from the Census is inaccurate due to the lack of state-level methods to reach, engage, and collect MENA data; and
WHEREAS, representational data is critical for ensuring that MENA communities have a voice in policymaking, civic engagement, and advocacy efforts, allowing for more inclusive and equitable governance; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is home to the largest MENA population in the United States, yet state and local agencies have not disaggregated data for MENA individuals, thereby limiting their access to health, education, and economic development opportunities; and WHEREAS, national and statewide efforts have sought to create a MENA category for more accurate demographic representation and equitable distribution of resources; and WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 91 (AB 91) aims to ensure MENA groups are accurately represented in demographic data collected in the State of California; and WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 91 would require state and local agencies that collect demographic data as to the ancestry or ethnic origin of Californians to use separate collection categories and tabulations for major MENA groups, to include that data in every demographic report published on or after January 1, 2027, and to make the aggregated data available to the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, as follows:
2 1. The City of Anaheim formally supports Assembly Bill 91, the Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion Act, recognizing its importance in advancing equity and proper representation for the MENA community in California.
2. The City of Anaheim formally recognizes the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community as a distinct racial and ethnic group with unique cultural, economic, and social contributions.
3. The City of Anaheim will continue to support the contributions and culture of the MENA community within the city.
THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION is approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Anaheim this ____ day of ______________, 2025 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CITY OF ANAHEIM
By: _________________________________
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
ATTEST:
_____________________________________
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM