SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 542 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize May 2023 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and to join the citizens of Houston in celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association; and WHEREAS, The Asian Pacific American Heritage Association was founded in 1992 to promote awareness and understanding of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures and histories through education, celebration, and commemoration; a Houston-based nonprofit organization, the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association collaborates with various community organizations to celebrate the diverse heritage and culture of Houston's residents and to support local educational and cultural initiatives; and WHEREAS, Originally established by the United States Congress as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week, the annual May observance celebrates the diverse culture, traditions, and history of peoples from the Asian continent and from the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; it was officially expanded into a monthlong celebration in 1990 under President George H. W. Bush; and WHEREAS, The Lone Star State is home to generations of Americans who take great pride in their ancestry in Asia and the Pacific Islands, and this annual observance provides a welcome opportunity to celebrate their significant contributions to the prosperity and cultural vibrancy of our state and nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby recognize May 2023 as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and congratulate the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association on 31 years of cultural preservation and celebration in the State of Texas; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Whitmire ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 10, 2023. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate