Aloha State News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 11, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) led 30 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution marking May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).

“Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities across the country,” said Senator Hirono. “It is also a time to reflect on the challenges our communities have faced, as we have long been targets of racism and discrimination. I’m proud to introduce this resolution marking May as AANHPI Heritage Month to celebrate the perseverance of our communities and the role we have played throughout our nation’s history. This month, and all year long, I’ll keep working to build a more inclusive and diverse future where members of the AANHPI community and all people are treated with dignity and respect.”

The resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. Earlier this week, she introduced a resolution marking May 10, 2023 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Mental Health Day. Last May, she introduced a bill to promote the teaching of Asian Pacific American history for high school students and teachers who enroll in the U.S. Department of Education’s American History and Civics Academies programs. Last year, Senator Hirono also brought legislation to the Senator floor, that was signed into law by President Biden, establishing a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.

Original source can be found here.