HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-01 - Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage MonthProclamation
__________________________
Lydia Kou
Mayor
ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER
HERITAGE MONTH
May 2023
WHEREAS, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPIs) Heritage Month is
observed during the month of May to recognize the contributions and influence of the AA NHPI community to
the history, culture, and achievements of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, May was chosen 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,
for which the majority of workers were Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, more than 6 million citizens of Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander descent reside in
California and represent over 35 percent of Palo Alto’s population, making AA and NHPI communities an
invaluable part of the rich fabric of our City and State; and
WHEREAS, AA and NHPI communities have played a critical role in the social, economic, and political
development of California throughout its history; and
WHEREAS, during AA NHPIs Heritage Month, we acknowledge AA NHPI persons have lived and worked
in the United States for more than 200 years, and have made significant contributions to all facets of the United
States such as economy, culture, education, politics, arts, law enforcement, military, literature, science, and
technological developments, despite institutional and systemic injustices designed to silence and cover up these
achievements and contributions; and
WHEREAS, we must also recognize the discrimination, exclusion, and outright violence that AA and NHPI
communities face to this day and confront past and present racism in order to fight for the safety and inclusion
of our AA and NHPI friends and neighbors.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lydia Kou, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto on behalf of the entire City Council do
hereby proclaim the month of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
and encourage our community to join us in observing, recognizing, and celebrating the culture, heritage, and
contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to our city.
PRESENTED: May 1, 2023