Barbara Boxer: “Each May, hundreds of civic organizations, community groups, students, and public agencies around the nation organize…”

“Each May, hundreds of civic organizations, community groups, students, and public agencies around the nation organize events to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Throughout the month of May, we salute the profound contributions that Asian Pacific Americans have made in all areas of life in the United States. From the arts and sciences to politics and education, their accomplishments have helped shape our culture and build our nation. In my home state of California, May brings major events celebrating Asian Pacific American culture in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month originated in 1977, when Representatives Norman Mineta and Frank Horton introduced a resolution calling on the President to proclaim the first ten days of May as Pacific/Asian Heritage Week. The following year, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution proclaiming Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. The celebration was significantly expanded in 1992, when May was officially designated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by an Act of Congress.”