[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9108--APR. 30, 2014

Proclamation 9108 of April 30, 2014

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we
celebrate the accomplishments of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and
Pacific Islanders, and we reflect on the many ways they have enriched
our Nation. Like America itself, the AAPI community draws strength from
the diversity of its many distinct cultures--each with vibrant histories
and unique perspectives to bring to our national life. Asian Americans,
Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have helped build, defend, and
strengthen our Nation--as farm workers and railroad laborers; as
entrepreneurs and scientists; as artists, activists, and leaders of
government. They have gone beyond, embodying the soaring aspirations of
the American spirit.
This month marks 145 years since the final spike was hammered into the
transcontinental railroad, an achievement made possible by Chinese
laborers, who did the majority of this backbreaking and dangerous work.
This May, they will receive long-overdue recognition as they are
inducted into the Labor Hall of Honor. Generations of Asian Americans,
Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have helped make this country
what it is today. Yet they have also faced a long history of injustice--
from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and its devastating impact
on the history, language, and culture of Native Hawaiians; to
opportunity-limiting laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the
Immigration Act of 1924; to the internment of Japanese Americans during
World War II. Even today, South Asian Americans, especially those who
are Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh, are targets of suspicion and violence.
With courage, grit, and an abiding belief in American ideals, Asian
Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have challenged our
Nation to be better, and my Administration remains committed to doing
its part. Nearly 5 years ago, I re-established the White House Ini

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tiative on AAPIs. The Initiative addresses disparities in health care,
education, and economic opportunity by ensuring Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders receive equal access to government programs and
services.
We are also determined to pass comprehensive immigration reform that
would modernize our legal immigration system, create a pathway to earned
citizenship for undocumented immigrants, hold employers accountable, and
strengthen our border security. These commonsense measures would bring
relief to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have experienced
this broken system firsthand, and they would allow our country to
welcome more highly skilled workers eager to contribute to America's
success.
This month, as we recall our hard-fought progress, let us resolve to
continue moving forward. Together, let us ensure the laws respect
everyone, civil rights apply to everyone, and everyone who works hard
and plays by the rules has a chance to get ahead.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, 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 2014 as Asian
American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans
to visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/AAPI to learn more about the history of
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and to observe this month with
appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.
BARACK OBAMA