Subject
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Proclamation Declaring May 2025, as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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Department
City Manager's Office (CMO)
Recommendation
Staff recommends Mayor and Council read and approve the proclamation and present it to John Lin, Chair of the City of Rockville Asian American Pacific Islander Task Force.
Discussion
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated in May to commemorate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent 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 immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. Congress later voted to expand it from a week-long celebration to that of a month-long celebration. Rockville has become increasingly diverse, and its Asian Pacific American community is one of its largest ethnic groups in the city.
First, it’s important to understand that “Asian” is a very complex and broad term that encompasses many countries and regions, cultures and subcultures, norms, diets, languages, and more. Describing things as “Asian” without more specificity can be offensive. Using a broad term, brushes aside the unique identities and histories of specific cultures.
The term “Asian American” is also unique to the United States. Read more about the term “Asian American” in this Vox article <https://www.vox.com/identities/22380197/asian-american-pacific-islander-aapi-heritage-anti-asian-hate-attacks>: “The inadequacy of the term ‘Asian American.‘” Remember - this month is specifically about celebrating Asian American history and achievements, rather than Asian history and culture in general.
In honor of Vincent Chin, who was brutally murdered in a hate crime in 1982, the AAPI community, commemorates Asian American and Pacific Islander Day Against Bullying and Hate, annually on May 18, Vincent’s birthday.
Be sure to check out www.Asianpacificheritage.gov <http://www.Asianpacificheritage.gov> to learn more.
While there can be some nuance to learning the right terminology, AAPI History Month is a perfect time to delve in and learn!
Annually, the Asian Pacific American Task Force has encouraged the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May by incorporating the culture into the Hometown Holidays and Lunar Year celebrations through traditional performances, games, displays and activities.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council offer this proclamation annually.