Mark Dayton: “I rise today to recognize that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and I want to acknowledge the many…”

“I rise today to recognize that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and I want to acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions that people of Asian and Pacific Island descent have made to Minnesota and to our country. Their many different talents, cultures, and histories have played important roles in building and strengthening our country, and they have exemplified the important traditions of hard work, respect for family and elders, and the value of a quality education. Since their arrival in this country, they have believed strongly in the American Dream and in better opportunities for those who seek them. These qualities have enabled them to overcome adversity and discrimination, and allowed them to achieve enormous successes in virtually every field. The complexion of my home state of Minnesota is changing dramatically. We have seen a sharp increase in the number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who reside in our state, and we welcome the opportunity to continue to work with them to create a better Minnesota.”