California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 56

Introduced by Assembly Member Chau

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bonta, Fong, Muratsuchi, Pan, Ting, Williams, and Yamada)

(Coauthors: Senators Lieu, Liu, and Yee)

April 30, 2013

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 56—Relative to Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

ACR 56, as introduced, Chau. May 2013: Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

This measure would recognize May 2013 as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, One of the earliest records of Asian and Pacific
Islander Americans in the United States dates back to 1763 in New
Orleans, Louisiana, where Filipino sailors who worked the
Manila-Acapulco trade route settled; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have made
indelible contributions to the history of California and the United
States that include, but are not limited to, building the
Transcontinental Railroad, serving honorably in the Armed Forces,
fighting for the United States in foreign wars, co-organizing the
Delano Grape Strike, and advocating for civil rights; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have endured
hardships, including unjust working conditions, prejudice, and
discrimination in some of the darkest times in our state’s and
nation’s history, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, naturalized
citizenship ineligibility, the Alien Land Law, anti-miscegenation
laws, and Japanese internment; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans continue to
cultivate, advance, and lead in the fields of art, fashion, business,
technology, education, science, government, law, humanities,
medicine, sports, and entertainment; and

WHEREAS, California is home to over 5.8 million Asian and
Pacific Islander Americans, more than any other state, and Asian
and Pacific Islander Americans are one of the fastest growing
ethnic populations in the state and nation; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans constitute
16 percent of California’s population and represent diverse
ancestries that include, but are not limited to, Asian Indian,
Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodian, Chamorro,
Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Iu-Mien, Iwo
Jiman, Guamanian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian,
Maldivian, Mongolian, Nepalese, Native Hawaiian, Vietnamese,
Okinawan, Pakistani, Samoan, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai,
Tongan, and other Pacific Islander; and

WHEREAS, California’s Asian and Pacific Islander American
entrepreneurs are innovative and lead many successful businesses
to the pinnacle of their respective industries nationally and globally,
and own 15 percent of businesses in California; and

WHEREAS, The California Commission on Asian and Pacific
Islander American Affairs was established in 2004 and is charged
with advising the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies on
issues relating to the social and economic development, rights,
and interests of California’s Asian and Pacific Islander American
communities; and

WHEREAS, The California Asian and Pacific Islander
Legislative Caucus, a caucus of State Assembly Members and
Senators, is currently composed of a record high 11 Members this
legislative session, and represents and advocates for the interests
of the diverse Asian and Pacific Islander American communities;
and

WHEREAS, The federal government officially designates May
as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month;” and

WHEREAS, Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage
Month provides Californians with an opportunity to recognize the
achievements, contributions, and history of Asian and Pacific
Islander Americans; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature commends Asian and
Pacific Islander Americans for their notable accomplishments and
contributions to California, and recognizes May 2013 as Asian
and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.