[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 87 (Monday, May 6, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 19683-19684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09313]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 87 / Monday, May 6, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 19683]]

                Proclamation 9867 of April 30, 2019

                
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage 
                Month, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific 
                Islander descent are firmly woven into the diverse 
                fabric of our Nation. During Asian American and Pacific 
                Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate the remarkable 
                accomplishments of Americans of Asian and Pacific 
                Islander heritage that have enriched our great country 
                and helped define our history. These Americans bolster 
                our economy as entrepreneurs, business owners, and 
                employees who initiate and expand opportunities for 
                their families, communities, and country. Their 
                languages, art, cuisine, and other cultural elements 
                have enriched the American experience, and many have 
                fearlessly answered the call of duty to defend our 
                freedom as members of our Armed Forces.

                Japanese American Ellison Onizuka embodied the 
                pioneering spirit of America. Colonel Onizuka served as 
                a flight test engineer and pilot in the United States 
                Air Force, and in 1978, he was chosen for the NASA 
                astronaut program. His first mission took place aboard 
                the Space Shuttle Discovery, where he completed 74 
                hours in space and 48 orbits around the Earth--becoming 
                the first Asian American to enter space. Tragically, 
                his next assignment was as a crewmember onboard the 
                Space Shuttle Challenger. He, along with six other 
                brave Americans, perished in the horrific accident that 
                ended the mission. Colonel Onizuka was posthumously 
                awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor for his 
                achievements and sacrifice for our country.

                The son of Chinese immigrants, Hiram Fong was yet 
                another of the many great Americans of Asian and 
                Pacific Islander descent who have made profound 
                contributions to the American enterprise. As a military 
                veteran, lawyer, and businessman from Hawaii, he was 
                the first ever American of Asian ancestry elected to 
                the United States Senate. His legacy of public service 
                and entrepreneurship continues to be an encouragement 
                for others to achieve the American Dream.

                This month, we honor the more than 20 million Asian 
                Americans and Pacific Islanders who call America home, 
                and we express our sincere gratitude to all those who 
                are selflessly serving in the Armed Forces. We 
                recognize the achievements of Americans of Asian 
                American and Pacific Islander heritage in education, 
                business, science, the arts, government, and the Armed 
                Forces, which have strengthened our Nation. We 
                celebrate their story as a unique part of the American 
                story.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim May 2019 as Asian 
                American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The 
                Congress, by Public Law 102-450, as amended, has also 
                designated the month of May each year as ``Asian/
                Pacific American Heritage Month.'' I encourage all 
                Americans to learn more about those of Asian American, 
                Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage and to 
                observe this month with appropriate programs and 
                activities.

[[Page 19684]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2019-09313
Filed 5-3-19; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P