2023 -- S 0964
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LC000737
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
CELEBRATING MAY OF 2023, AS "ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND
PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, and Gu
Date Introduced: May 02, 2023
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, In 1978, a Joint Congressional Resolution established the first ten days of 1
May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. These particular days were chosen because they 2
coincide with the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants in May of 1843, and 3
the contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad which was 4
completed in May of 1869; and 5
WHEREAS, In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration 6
known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and in 2021, President Biden 7
issued a Proclamation declaring May as "Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 8
Heritage Month"; and 9
WHEREAS, The number of Asian-American residents in the United States was an 10
estimated 24 million according to the 2020 census, with more than 54 percent holding a 11
Bachelor's degree or higher level of education, and an estimated 581,200 Asian-owned employer 12
firms. In addition, Asian Americans encompass more than one million actively serving personnel 13
in the United States Military; and 14
WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians have been serving 15
honorably in the United States Military since the War of 1812; and 16
WHEREAS, The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander work force can 17
be found in numerous fields including professional, scientific and technical services, as well as 18
teaching, financial management, engineering, nursing, health care, medicine, social assistance, 19
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retail, construction, and repair and maintenance and have paid more than $37.8 billion in federal 1
income taxes and $16 billion in state and local taxes; and 2
WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have added to the 3
diversity, strength and vibrancy of our state through their culture, language, and religion and it is 4
fitting and vital to honor and acknowledge their invaluable contributions; now, therefore be it 5
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims May of 6
2023, as "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" and urges all 7
Rhode Islanders to learn more about the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and 8
Pacific Islanders, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities; and be it 9
further 10
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 11
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Alliance of RI Southeast Asians for 12
Education, the Center for Southeast Asians, the India Association of Rhode Island, the Rhode 13
Island Association of Chinese Americans, the Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of 14
RI, The Korean-American Association of RI, and the Filipino-American Association of Newport 15
County. 16
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LC000737
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