[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1153 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          May 21, 2008.
Whereas the selection of May as the month for Asian Pacific American Heritage 
        Month was significant due to two historical events that occurred in May: 
        first, May 7, 1843, when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the 
        United States, and second, May 10, 1869, when, with substantial 
        contributions from Chinese immigrants, the first transcontinental 
        railroad was completed;
Whereas this year marks the 30th anniversary of President Jimmy Carter's signing 
        of the joint resolution designating the first ten days of May as Asian 
        Pacific American Heritage Week;
Whereas section 102 of title 36, United States Code, officially designates May 
        as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, and requests the President to 
        issue each year a proclamation calling on the people of the United 
        States to observe Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with appropriate 
        programs, ceremonies, and activities;
Whereas according to the Bureau of the Census, an estimated 14,900,000 United 
        States residents identify themselves as Asian alone or in combination 
        with one or more other races, and an estimated 1,000,000 United States 
        residents identify themselves as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific 
        Islander alone or in combination with one or more other races;
Whereas even though Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders faced the injustices 
        of racial prejudice as exemplified by the Chinese Exclusion Act, 
        Japanese internment, Vincent Chin case, and other events, the community 
        has made considerable contributions to the vast cultural, military, 
        economic, educational, and technological advancements of the United 
        States;
Whereas Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders such as civil rights activist, 
        Yuri Kochiyama, Medal of Honor recipient, Herbert Pililaau, the first 
        Asian American Congressman, Dalip Singh Saund, the first Asian American 
        Congresswoman, Patsy Mink, and others have made significant strides in 
        the political and military realm; and
Whereas Asian Pacific American Heritage Month provides the people of the United 
        States with an opportunity to recognize the achievements, contributions, 
        history, and concerns of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the incredible diversity of different racial and 
        ethnic groups, including Asian American and Pacific Islander, is a 
        source of strength for the United States;
            (2) recognizes that the Asian American and Pacific Islander 
        community is influential and crucial to the society and culture of the 
        United States;
            (3) reaffirms its commitment to the goals and ideals of Asian 
        Pacific American Heritage Month; and
            (4) celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific 
        Islanders to the United States.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.