[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 280 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 280

           Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 17, 2005

    Mr. Tom Davis of Virginia (for himself, Mr. DeLay, Mr. Lewis of 
  California, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Gary G. Miller of California, Mr. 
  Shimkus, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Moran of 
Virginia, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Crowley, Mr. 
Ackerman, Mr. Rohrabacher, Mr. Rothman, Mr. Case, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Van 
Hollen, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Duncan, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. 
 Scott of Virginia, Mr. Leach, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Lantos, and 
Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida) submitted the following resolution; 
        which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
           Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Whereas the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to our Nation have been 
        historically significant;
Whereas at the direction of Congress in 1978, the President proclaimed the week 
        of May 4 through 10, 1979, as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, to 
        provide the people of the United States with an opportunity to recognize 
        the achievements, contributions, history, and concerns of Asian Pacific 
        Americans;
Whereas this seven day period designated Asian Pacific Heritage Week intended to 
        mark two historical dates--May 7, 1843, when the first Japanese 
        immigrants arrived in the United States, and May 10, 1869, Golden Spike 
        Day, when, with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants, the 
        first transcontinental railroad was completed;
Whereas in 1992, Congress by law designated that the month of May be annually 
        observed as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month;
Whereas according to the U.S. Census Bureau an estimated 14.5 million United 
        States residents trace their ethnic heritage, in full or in part, to 
        Asia and the Pacific Islands;
Whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can list innovative contributions 
        to all aspects of life in the United States ranging from the first 
        transcontinental railroad to the Internet;
Whereas in the mid-1700's Filipino sailors formed the first Asian American and 
        Pacific Islander communities in the bayous of Louisiana;
Whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have added to the vast cultural 
        wealth of our Nation; and
Whereas more than 300,000 Americans of Asian or Pacific Island heritage have 
        bravely and honorably served to defend the United States in times of 
        armed conflict from the Civil War to the present: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, by the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the United States draws its strength 
        from its diversity, including contributions made by Asian 
        Americans and Pacific Islanders;
            (2) recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander 
        community is a thriving and integral part of American society 
        and culture;
            (3) recognizes the prodigious contributions of Asian 
        Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States; and
            (4) supports the goals of Asian Pacific American Heritage 
        Month.
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