PRINTER'S NO. 1244 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE RESOLUTION No.172 Session of 2025 INTRODUCED BY KHAN, VENKAT, MALAGARI, DAVIDSON, LEADBETER, SANCHEZ, PROBST, GUENST, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, McNEILL, M. MACKENZIE, SCHLOSSBERG, T. DAVIS, MERSKI AND CERRATO, APRIL 3, 2025 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, APRIL 3, 2025 A RESOLUTION Recognizing the month of May 2025 as "Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, The month of May is significant in Asian-American and Pacific Islander history, as it commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant, a 14-year-old boy named Manjiro, to the United States on May 7, 1843; and WHEREAS, In 1992, the Congress of the United States honored Manjiro's arrival by establishing May as "Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" in the United States; and WHEREAS, The first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, with the aid of 15,000 to 20,000 Chinese immigrants, whose labor was vital in paving the way to the American West; and WHEREAS, More than 600,000 individuals in this Commonwealth can trace their roots to Asia and the islands of the Pacific; and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 WHEREAS, The legacies of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities have enriched American culture and society while simultaneously building and uniting our nation; and WHEREAS, With substantial contributions to the arts, health care, law, the military, public service, science and technology, as well as a myriad of other professional contributions, Asian- American and Pacific Islander communities are deeply ingrained in the history of the United States; and WHEREAS, "Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the accomplishments and recognize the hardships of Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in the past and to this day; therefore be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the month of May 2025 as "Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all residents of this Commonwealth to learn and explore the rich and significant heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. 20250HR0172PN1244 - 2 - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19