[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 474 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 474

  Recognizing the significance of May 2012 as Asian-Pacific American 
   Heritage Month and the importance of celebrating the significant 
 contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history 
                         of the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 24, 2012

Mr. Akaka (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Reid, Mr. Begich, Mrs. Murray, 
    and Mr. Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the significance of May 2012 as Asian-Pacific American 
   Heritage Month and the importance of celebrating the significant 
 contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history 
                         of the United States.

Whereas the United States joins together each May to pay tribute to the 
        contributions of generations of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders 
        who have enriched the history of the United States;
Whereas the history of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United 
        States is inextricably tied to the story of the United States;
Whereas the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community is an inherently 
        diverse population, comprised of over 45 distinct ethnicities and over 
        100 language dialects;
Whereas according to the United States Census Bureau, the Asian-American 
        population grew faster than any other racial or ethnic group over the 
        last decade, surging nearly 46 percent between 2000 and 2010, which is a 
        growth rate 4 times faster than the total United States population;
Whereas the 2010 decennial census estimated that there are 17,300,000 United 
        States residents who identify as Asian and 1,200,000 United States 
        residents who identify as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 
        making up nearly 6 percent of the total United States population;
Whereas the month of May was selected for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 
        because the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on 
        May 7, 1843, and the first transcontinental railroad was completed on 
        May 10, 1869, with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants;
Whereas the year 2012 marks several important historic milestones for the Asian-
        American and Pacific Islander community, including the--

    (1) 20th anniversary of the formal establishment of Asian-Pacific 
American Heritage Month;

    (2) 30th anniversary of the unpunished murder of Vincent Chin;

    (3) 70th anniversary of the signing of Executive Order 9066, which 
authorized the internment of Japanese-Americans;

    (4) 100th anniversary of the planting of the first cherry tree in 
Washington, DC from Japan;

    (5) 130th anniversary of the enactment of the Act entitled ``An Act to 
execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese'', approved May 6, 
1882 (22 Stat. 58, chapter 126); and

    (6) 150th anniversary of the enactment of the Act of July 1, 1862 (12 
Stat. 489, chapter 120), which promoted the construction of the 
transcontinental railroad;

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 the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
        activities;
Whereas the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, a bicameral caucus of 
        Members of Congress advocating on behalf of Asian-Americans and Pacific 
        Islanders, is composed of a record high 41 Members in 2012;
Whereas today, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are serving in State 
        legislatures across the United States, in States as diverse as Alaska, 
        Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, New 
        Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and 
        Washington;
Whereas the commitment of the United States to diversity in the judiciary has 
        been demonstrated by the nominations of high-caliber Asian-American and 
        other minority jurists at all levels of the Federal bench;
Whereas there still remains much to be done to ensure that Asian-Americans and 
        Pacific Islanders have access to resources, a voice in the Federal 
        Government, and continue to advance in the political landscape of the 
        United States; and
Whereas celebrating May 2012 as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month provides 
        the people of the United States with an opportunity to recognize the 
        achievements, contributions, and history of, and address the challenges 
        faced by, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate recognizes--
            (1) the significance of May 2012 as Asian-Pacific American 
        Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the 
        significant contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific 
        Islanders to the history of the United States; and
            (2) that the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community 
        enhances the rich diversity of, and strengthens, the United 
        States.
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