HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-2021 Proclamation - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Proclamation
Whereas,Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have enriched the history, society and culture of the United
States of America including risking their lives buildingthe first Transcontinental Railroad; initiating United
States v. Wong KimArk, 169 U.S. 649 (1898),theUnited States Supreme Court landmark decision that has given
birthright citizenship to the children of countlessimmigrants to the United States from all over the globefor over
120 years; and sacrificing their lives in defense of our country; and
Whereas,In recognition of the significant contributions by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the
United States of America, then President Jimmy Carter signed a bill into law in 1978 proclaimingthe first ten
days of May 1979as AsianAmerican and Pacific Islander Heritage Week; and
Whereas,Then President George H.W. Bush signed a bill into lawin 1990 extendingthe week-long
celebration to an entiremonth resulting in theofficial designationof the month of May as AsianAmerican and
Pacific Islander American Heritage Monthbeginning in 1992; and
Whereas,Section 102 of title 36, United States Code, officially designates May as AsianAmerican and
Pacific IslanderHeritage Month and requests the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the people
of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities;and
Whereas,In continuationof the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders’ commitment to service to
our country, theFederal Asian Pacific American Council has selected its 2021 theme for Asian American and
Pacific Islander Heritage Month to be Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service; and
Whereas,The efforts, resilience, and contributions of the culturally and linguistically diverse Asian
Americanand Pacific Islander’ communitiescan be seen in every aspect of societyin the United States such as
education, military, politics, health care, economics, and science; and
Whereas,The City of Ocoee recognizesthe importance of inclusion and diversity inbuilding a brighter
future for all our residents including our current, and future, Asian American and Pacific Islander’ citizens; and
Whereas,The City of Ocoeeis proud to have a diverse community that includes an Asian American and
Pacific Islander population of over 2,700(5.5%).
Now, therefore be it resolved, that the City Commission of the City of Ocoee, Orange County, State of
Florida, doeshereby proclaim the month of May 2021 as
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
in the City of Ocoeeand encourage all citizens of Ocoeeto learn more about, and pay tribute to, the significant
contributions of generations of Asian Americansand PacificIslanders, and to assist in furthering our efforts for
an inclusive and equitable city for all our citizenry.
IN WITNESS WHEROF, I hereunto have
Set my hand and caused the Seal of the
City of Ocoee, Florida to be affixed this
th
4day of May,2021.
Rusty Johnson, Mayor