2024 -- S 3088

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LC005996

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING MAY OF 2024, AS "ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND

PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Gu, Ujifusa, Raptakis, Felag, Cano, LaMountain, Rogers, F.
Lombardi, Euer, and DeLuca

     Date Introduced: May 23, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, In 1978, a Joint Congressional Resolution established the first ten days of

May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. These particular days were chosen because they

coincide with the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants in May of 1843, and

the contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad which was

completed in May of 1869; and

     WHEREAS, In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration

known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and in 2021, President Biden

issued a Proclamation declaring May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

Heritage Month; and

     WHEREAS, The number of Asian-American residents in the United States was an

estimated 24 million according to the 2020 census, with more than 54 percent holding a

Bachelor's degree or higher level of education, and an estimated 581,200 Asian-owned employer

firms. In addition, Asian Americans encompass more than one million actively serving personnel

in the United States Military; and

     WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians have been

serving honorably in the United States Military since the War of 1812; and

     WHEREAS, The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander workforce can

be found in numerous fields including professional, scientific and technical services, as well as

teaching, financial management, engineering, nursing, health care, medicine, social assistance,

retail, construction, and repair and maintenance and have paid billions in federal income taxes in

addition to state and local taxes; and

     WHEREAS, There have been connections between China and Rhode Island since the

18th Century, as highlighted in a recent exhibition entitled, "The Celestial City: Newport and

China," at Rosecliff Mansion from September 2023 to February 2024, which revealed that people

of Chinese heritage contributed to life in Newport, including immigrant entrepreneurs, suffragists,

merchants, sailmakers and sailors; and

     WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have added to the

diversity, strength and vibrancy of our State through their culture, language, and religion and it is

fitting and vital to honor and acknowledge their invaluable contributions; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims May of

2024, as "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" and urges all

Rhode Islanders to learn more about the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and

Pacific Islanders, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the recipients of Senate Citations presented on

May 23, 2024, and to those who have helped promote Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and

Pacific Islander history and culture in Rhode Island.

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LC005996

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