Political Quotes

“I rise today to join in the recognition and celebration of the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This month, we celebrate the many contributions Asian American and Pacific Islanders, AAPI, have made to the United States and their cultures, traditions, and history. In 1978, Congress passed a joint congressional resolution to commemorate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week during the first week of May in 1979, and in 1992, Congress passed legislation that annually designated May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Congress chose May because two important anniversaries occurred during this month. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in America. May 10 is the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad's completion in 1869. Many of the workers who laid the tracks for this railroad were Chinese immigrants. These two dates only begin to describe the innumerable contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to this country. The AAPI community of over 18 million draws from a variety of distinct cultures, each of which has enriched American society and challenged our Nation to aspire to be better. This community comprises 45 distinct ethnicities and more than 100 different languages. Through hard work and a steadfast commitment to American ideals, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have strengthened this country as leaders, laborers, activists, artists, and trailblazers.…”