Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Recognizing May as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month.
Body
WHEREAS, in 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843), and the contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869; and,
WHEREAS, in 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration that is now known as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month; and,
WHEREAS, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the many generations of Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi Americans who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success; and,
WHEREAS, since 2017, UW-Madison students have worked to establish the Asian-Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Student Center on the UW-Madison campus, which "exists to acknowledge the specific and particular realities within APIDA communities at UW-Madison, while also connecting communities to the larger Wisconsin Experience and fostering a sense of belonging"; and,
WHEREAS, April is designated as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and many other universities across the country; and,
WHEREAS, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the APIDA Student Center acknowledge the month of May as the National observance; however, campus celebrates during the month of April to provide programming while students, staff, and faculty are present on campus to attend and participate; and,
WHEREAS, this month is designated to learn more about and appreciate the contributions, concerns, achievements and histories of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans; and,
WHEREAS, Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans have contributed and continue to contribute significantly to the development of the arts, sciences, sports, government, military, welfare, commerce, and education in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American populations are rich with a broad variety of cultures, values, languages, religions, and traditions; and,
WHEREAS, Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi Americans represent at least 9.1% of the population of Madison; and,
WHEREAS, in March 2021, the Madison Common Council passed a resolution condemning anti-Asian hate and affirming the City's commitment to its Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander residents; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison Common Council recognized May 2019 as Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage month;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council recognize May 2021 as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month in the City of Madison.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council congratulate our Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community on this significant month and thank them for their contributions to the vibrancy of the City of Madison.
Sources:
https://asianpacificheritage.gov/about/
https://msc.wisc.edu/apidasc/
https://www.wisc.edu/APIDAHM/
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/madisoncitywisconsin,US/PST045219
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/resources/fun-facts/asian-american-and-pacific-islander.html