Agenda #: 5.4
Meeting Date: May 17, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Daniel Fox, City Manager
TITLE: ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION.
STRATEGIC
GOAL: Open, Engaged & Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Proclamation declaring May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
BACKGROUND:
Asian American Pacific American Heritage (AAPI) Month is a month to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society and culture.
The origin of AAPI Heritage Month dates back to the 95th Congress (1977-1978) when five joint resolutions were introduced proposing that a week in May be designated to commemorate the accomplishments of AAPIs.
On March 28, 1978, President Carter issued Proclamation 4650, the first presidential proclamation, for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In this proclamation, President Carter spoke of the significant role Asian/Pacific Americans have played in the creation of a dynamic and pluralistic American society with their contributions to the sciences, arts, industry, government and commerce. Over the next ten years, Presidents Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush continued to annually issue proclamations designating a week in May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
On May 7, 1990, President George H.W. Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 6130 designating May 1990 as the first “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” On May 9, 1990, Congress passed Pub.L.101-283, requesting that the President issue a proclamation which expanded the observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage
Week to a month. This law called on the people of the United States to observe Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with “appropriate ceremonies, programs and activities.”
On October 23, 1992, Congress passed Pub.L.102-450 which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” Pursuant to Pub. L. 102- 450 Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump have annually issued proclamations designating May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The City of Diamond Bar is proud to honor the achievements and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to designate May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
PREPARED BY:
REVIEWED BY:
Attachments:
1. 5.4.a Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Proclamation