[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9595 of April 28, 2017

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This month, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month, and we recognize the achievements and contributions of Asian
Americans and Pacific Islanders that enrich our Nation.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have distinguished themselves in
the arts, literature, and sports. They are leading researchers in
science, medicine, and technology; dedicated teachers to our Nation's
children; innovative farmers and ranchers; and distinguished lawyers and
government leaders.
Dr. Sammy Lee, a Korean American who passed away last December,
exemplified the spirit of this month. Dr. Lee was the first Asian
American man to win an Olympic gold medal, becoming a platform diving
champion at the 1948 London Olympics only 1 year after graduating from
medical school. To fulfill his dreams, Dr. Lee overcame several
obstacles, including his local childhood pool's policy of opening to
minorities only once per week. Later in life he was subject to housing
discrimination (even after 8 years of military service). Dr. Lee
nevertheless tirelessly served his country and community, including by
representing the United States at the Olympic Games, on behalf of
several Presidents.
Katherine Sui Fun Cheung also embodied the spirit of this month. In
1932, she became the first Chinese American woman to earn a pilot
license. At the time, only about 1 percent of pilots in the United
States were women. As a member of The Ninety-Nines, an organization of
women pilots, she paved the way for thousands of women to take to the
skies.
There are more than 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in
the United States. Each day, through their actions, they make America
more vibrant, more prosperous, and more secure. Our Nation is
particularly grateful to the many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

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who have served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces,
protecting the Nation, and promoting freedom and peace around the world.
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 2017 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 our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific
Islander heritage, and to observe this month with appropriate programs
and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.
DONALD J. TRUMP