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 has been 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, and there are almost 800,000 Asian Americans and over 20,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders county wide and in Costa Mesa, nearly 10% of Costa Mesan residents identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander; and WHEREAS, this year’s 2024 Asian American and Pacific Islander Month theme is “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future,” it embodies the spirit of the collective journey- one rooted in resilience and hope- and encourages the forging of international connections to honor the past and pave a lasting path forward; and WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Orange County are starting businesses and creating jobs, and there are over 78,000 Asian American-owned businesses county-wide generating over $25 billion in revenue; and WHEREAS, annually, the OC Fair and Event Center hosts cultural celebrations honoring the heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including the Tet Festival, organized by the Union of Vietnamese Students, and attracting over 60,000 guests, as well as the OC Japan Fair, hosted by Japan Product Promotion, unfolds as a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture. Spanning three days, this festival delights visitors with a colorful array of Japanese cuisine, cultural displays, music, technological innovations, anime showcases, and much more, drawing in thousands of visitors to the city; and WHEREAS, the City’s economic and social institutions have benefitted from the rich arts of the AAPI community through diverse presentations held at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts, like performances by Shen Yun, a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China’s rich cultural heritage; and WHEREAS, the City of Costa Mesa is committed to recognizing the achievements of Asian American and Pacific Islander business entrepreneurs and community leaders in the city, like John Park, co-owner of Toast Kitchen + Bakery, and Ed Lee, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, not only manage successful businesses but also contribute significantly to philanthropic efforts benefiting the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim May 2024 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 7th day of May 2024.
________________________________________________________ John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa