A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of  Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania  to Recognize Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

WHEREAS, May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to honor and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States; and 

WHEREAS, the term “Asian/Pacific” encompasses the entire Asian continent and the Pacific Islands, including the regions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; and 

WHEREAS, the observance originated in 1978 when President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution establishing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, and was later expanded by Congress in 1992 to a month-long commemoration every May; and 

WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen to mark two significant milestones in AAPI history: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was largely built by Chinese immigrant laborers; and 

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made indelible contributions to every aspect of American life—including the arts, sciences, education, public service, business, and the military—while overcoming a long history of exclusion, discrimination, and injustice; and 

WHEREAS, Montgomery Township honors the resilience, achievements, and vibrant cultural heritage of its AAPI residents, and affirms its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery Township does hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Montgomery Township, and encourages residents to recognize and celebrate the rich cultural traditions and contributions of the AAPI community to the Township and our nation.