One World, Many Cultures

Transcription

1 Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone Asian American Advisory Board 8TH ANNUAL ASIAN AMERICA & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION One World, Many Cultures Saturday, May 14, 2016 VAJARAHAMMAPADIP BUDDIST TEMPLE & THAI CULTURAL CENTER 110 Rustic Road, Centereach, New York

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4 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month An Introduction Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), officially proclaimed "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" by President Barack Obama, is a celebration of the culture, traditions, and history of Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978 to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immirants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, In 1990 Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month long celebration and in May 1992, the month of May was permanently designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Like most commemorative months, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill. In June 1977, Reps. Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration into a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

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6 CONGRATULATIONS RAMON VILLONGCO, M.B.A., CHAIRMAN OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD ON THE EIGHTH ANNUAL ASIAN-AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION MAY 14, 2016 THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES YOU PROVIDE WITH CULTURAL MUSIC, PERFORMANCES AND EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS JOHN M. KENNEDY, JR. SUFFOLK COUNTY COMPTROLLER

7 May 14, 2016 Best wishes and congratulations to all of my friends and neighbors at this year s Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. This is an especially wonderful occasion as you enjoy the eighth year! Long Island is filled with communities of diversity who wish to celebrate or learn about Asian culture. The Asian community is very important and is essential to the fabric of Long Island. I am fortunate enough to have experienced firsthand during my trip to Taiwan this historic culture, its rich music history and especially fine cuisine. I have learned how important it is to each and every one of you to share your important culture and build friendships which will last a lifetime. I congratulate Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, the members of the Suffolk County Legislature and all of the leaders and volunteers who made this event possible. Your foresight and dedication are remarkable and responsible for this very important event. I hope all attending enjoy the Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration as we rejoice in these cultures through the celebration of diversity. Regards to all. Sincerely, Joseph S. Saladino Member of Assembly

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