Aloha State News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 18, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) to mark 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).

“This month is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of AANHPI communities, and the critical role we have played throughout our nation’s history,” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “Members of our community have long been leaders in government, science, business, the arts, and more. But while we celebrate our community, this month also a reminder of how much work remains to advance equality and equity for our community.”

“Among other challenges, our communities are still combatting anti-Asian violence, suffering from health disparities, and experiencing sex trafficking and violence at alarming rates,” continued Senator Hirono. “This resolution highlights many of the leaders of our community throughout history, and some of the triumphs, and challenges, we have faced throughout the years. It affirms the important role our communities continue to play in the story of our nation and has bipartisan support.”

Shortly before Senate passage, Senator Hirono spoke on the Senate floor in support of her legislation. Senator Hirono’s full remarks are below and video is available for download here.

M. President, May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of AANHPI communities, and the critical role we have played throughout our nation’s history.

From trailblazers like Patsy Mink and Anna May Wong, to our own Vice President Harris, members of our community have long been leaders in government, science, business, the arts, and more. But while we celebrate our community, this month also a reminder of how much work remains to advance equality and equity for our community. 

The AANHPI community has long been the target of racism and discrimination in this country. Among other challenges, our communities are still combatting anti-Asian violence, suffering from health disparities, and experiencing sex trafficking and violence at alarming rates.

The AANHPI community is the fastest growing demographic group in the United States. In the past 20 years alone, the number of Asian Americans in the U.S. has nearly doubled. But we are not a monolith. AANHPI communities come from dozens of countries and speak countless languages. The diversity makes our community, and our country, stronger.

That’s why, in a moment, I’ll seek unanimous consent to pass a resolution recognizing AANHPI Heritage Month. This resolution highlights many of the leaders of our community throughout history, and some of the triumphs, and challenges, we have faced throughout the years. It affirms the important role our communities continue to play in the story of our nation and has bipartisan support.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. Last week, she reintroduced legislation to promote the teaching of AANHPI history in public schools. She also introduced a resolution marking May 10, 2023 as AANHPI Mental Health Day. 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.