Senate Resolution No. 906
BY: Senator LIU
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 2025, as Asian American Pacific Islander
Heritage Month in the State of New York
WHEREAS, Asian and Asian Pacific Islander Americans have contributed
greatly to the wealth and cultural heritage of our great State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Asian American Pacific
Islander Heritage Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage
Month; and
WHEREAS, Asian Pacific Islander Americans comprise many ethnicities
and languages, and their myriad achievements embody the American
experience; and
WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have fostered
enterprise to include many of our Nation's most successful and dynamic
businesses; these men and women are leaders in every aspect of American
life such as government, industry, science, medicine, the arts, our
Armed Forces, education, and sports; and
WHEREAS, New York was among the first places in the United States to
welcome Asian immigrants in the early 1800s, with sailors and traders
from the China trade route playing a vital role in shaping the port
culture of New York City-long recognized as a gateway for immigrants and
a symbol of the American Dream; and
WHEREAS, New York is home to Asian and Asian Pacific Islanders from
all parts of the Asian continent and Pacific Islands, including Japan,
China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Burma (Myanmar),
Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Guam, India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress passed a joint Congressional
Resolution in 1978, to commemorate Asian and Asian Pacific American
Heritage Week during the first week of May; this date was chosen because
two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of
the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the
completion of the transcontinental railroad by Chinese laborers on May
10, 1869; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, Congress voted to expand it from a week to a
month-long celebration; in May 1992, the month of May was permanently
designated as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month"; and
WHEREAS, There are many notable and influential Asian Americans who
inspire our next generation every day, some of whom include: Kalpana
Chawla, first woman of Indian descent to go to space; Tammy Duckworth,
first Thai American woman and first woman with a disability elected to
Congress; Patsy Mink, esteemed Hawaiian Congresswoman and first woman of
color to be elected to the House of Representatives; Sammy Lee, Korean
American diver and the first man to win back-to-back gold medals at the
Olympics; Chien-Shiung Wu, Chinese American "First Lady of Physics"
whose groundbreaking work in nuclear physics reshaped modern science;
and Kamala Harris, first woman, African American, and South Asian
American to serve as Vice President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, According to a 2022 report, State of Change: Asian
Populations Transform New York, published by the Asian American
Federation, Asian Americans make up over 10% of New York State's
population; the Asian American population in New York State increased by
37.6% from 2010 to 2020; Asian residents make up 17.3% of New York
City's population; the Asian population in New York State grew quickly
outside of New York City, doubling in some areas; and
WHEREAS, By recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of
Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, this great Empire State reaffirms its
commitment to diversity and equal opportunity for all, thereby ensuring
a bright future for all New Yorkers and Americans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 2025, as Asian
American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the State of New York; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
