[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 112 (Monday, June 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E705-E706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MULTIRACIAL HERITAGE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 28, 2021

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize June 7-14, 2021, 
as Multiracial Heritage Week, a celebration for all people. This week 
highlights our similarities, not our differences.
  Multiracial Heritage Week is an opportunity to celebrate the 
contributions and achievements of the multiracial community. 
Multiracial individuals are not only parts of other populations, but 
they are also a growing population in and of itself.
  There are over 9.3 million individuals who self-identify as more than 
one race, which is the fastest growing population in the nation. 
According to the Pew Research Center, the largest groups of individuals 
identified themselves as white-American Indian, white-Asian, white-
black, and white-some other race. The Census Bureau estimates the 
multiracial population will triple by 2060.
  California is home to the largest multiracial population in our 
country. In the Central Valley, diversity is one of our greatest 
strengths. Many people have come together to educate our communities, 
spread awareness, and celebrate their heritage during this important 
week.
  Multiracial Heritage Week was started by Project Reclassify All 
Children Equally (RACE), a national nonprofit and all-volunteer 
organization based in Los Banos, CA. It advocates for multiracial 
children, adults, and families through multiracial education and 
community awareness.
  Project RACE was founded by Susan Graham and Chris Ashe in 1991. Both 
Susan and Chris had multiracial children, who experienced problems with 
forms that did not allow an option of choosing more than one race or a 
Multiracial classification.
  As a result, Graham and representatives of Project RACE testified 
five times before the U.S. Congress and advocated for the 
implementation of multiracial classification. Subsequently, the 
checking of more than one box on federal agency and census forms was 
established. Therefore, Multiracial people are known as ``people who 
check two or more races'' by our United States government.
  The organization is committed to advocating for civil rights and the 
appropriate inclusion of Multiracial people. The current struggle for 
racial justice is multifaceted and takes place on many fronts. I am 
proud to see this organization and my constituents rise up to advocate 
for equal rights and celebrate diversity.
  Progress is made through the efforts of courageous individuals who 
actively engage within their communities and advocate for the rights of 
others. The people of the Central Valley have continuously shown that 
diversity is our strength and unity is our power.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
multiracial community and their contributions to our society. This

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could not have been possible without the dedication and contributions 
of the Project RACE organization.

                          ____________________