HE ORIORATED 191
Proclamation of the
City of Foster City, California
Recognizing May 2026 as
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month WHEREAS, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 AANHPI Heritage Month 2026 is "Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together," highlighting the importance of leveraging collective power, telling stories, and being bridge builders in communities; 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 AANHPI 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, today, AANHPI are the fastest growing racial group in the United States; and WHEREAS, AANHPI 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, 1, ART KIESEL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FOSTER CITY, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, recognize May 2026 as "Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Month," and encourage everyone to celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented by AANPI 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 4th day of
May, in the year two thousand and twenty-six,
A.D.
ART KIESEL, MAYOR