of
Recognizing.May 2024 as
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States; and
WHEREAS, according to the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the theme for AAPI Heritage Month this year is "Advancing Leaders through Innovation," paying homage to the visionaries and trailblazers who have shaped our AAPI history and continue to influence our collective future; and WHEREAS, in 1978, the U.S. Congress recognized Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990, Congress passed a law expanding the observance to a month for that year. In 1992, Congress passed a law annually designating May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. In 2009, President Barack Obama expanded the Asian/Pacific American commemoration to include Pacific Islanders and issued his proclamation in honor of AAPI Heritage Month; and
WHEREAS, the month of May was selected for AAPI Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants; and WHEREAS, according to US Census 2023 estimates, some 33.8 percent of San Mateo County's 726,353 residents are of Asian heritage, compared with 16.3 percent for all of California. Additionally, the 2020 US Census data showed that 50.6% of Foster City's residents are of Asian heritage; and WHEREAS, today, AAPI are the fastest growing racial group in the United States; and WHEREAS, AAPI have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, and activism and law.,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PATRICK SULLIVAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, officially recognize May 2024 as "Asian American and Pacific Islander Month," and encourage everyone to celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented by AAPI both across our country and in Foster City.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and have caused the official seal of the City of Foster City to be affixed this 6th day of May, in the year two thousand and twenty-four, A.O.
PATRICK SULLIVAN, MAYOR