CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
Focamation
WHEREAS, Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month elevates the rich and vibrant heritage and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society and culture; and
WHEREAS, since 1978, May is a dedicated time to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage and in 1992, Congress officially designated the month of May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the significant role Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played in the creation of a dynamic American society with their contributions to the arts, commerce, government and sciences; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is home to the third-largest Asian American population nationwide, there are nearly 600,000 Asian Americans and over 19,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders county wide and in Costa Mesa nearly 10% of Costa Mesans identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Orange County are starting businesses and creating jobs, there are over 63,000 Asian American owned businesses county wide and over 96,000 workers in Orange County who are employed by Asian American owned business, generating over $20 billion in revenue; and
WHEREAS, this year's 2022 Asian American and Pacific Islander Month theme is: Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration, to encourage local and national governments to prioritize collaboration, development, diversity, transparency, and inclusion through leadership training of AAPI people; and
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa is proud to be home to the largest Marshallese community in California and long-time Costa Mesa resident Kelani Silk, Founder and Executive Director of Marshallese Youth of Orange County, whose mission is to "advocate for the health, education, and cultural edification" of Marshallese; and
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa community hosts annuals events to celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islanders heritage, such as the Tet Festival held at the OC Fair & Event Center hosted by the Union of Vietnamese Students which attracts more than 60,00 guests; and Chinese New Year and Lunar New Year events held at South Coast Plaza center's Jewel Court and Carousel Court; and
CITY OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
→ Podsmation
WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa is committed to recognizing the achievements of the Asian American and Pacific Islander business entrepreneurs and community leaders in our City, such as creators and owners of Toast Kitchen + Bakery, John Park and Ed Lee, who in addition to operating their business, provide philanthropic work to the community; and diverse performaces at the Segestrom Center for the Arts celebrating the culture with performaces by Shen Yun and the Shangai Acrobats, we acknowledge and celebrate their contributions to our City's economic and social institutions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim May 2022 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Costa Mesa, and I urge all residents in our City to join me in this special observance.
DATED this 3rd day of May, 2022.
John B.Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa