Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation
Council Sponsors: Councilors Hanneke and Ryan and Community Sponsor: Amherst Town Manager’s Office
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage in the United States was celebrated beginning in 1978 and was made into a month-long event in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month seeks to honor and recognize the contributions of residents from Asia, India, and the Pacific Islands; and
WHEREAS, today more than 20 million Asian American Pacific Islanders live in the United States and through their actions, make the United States of America a more vibrant, prosperous, and secure Nation; and
WHEREAS, Asian American Pacific Islanders have distinguished themselves as leading researchers in science, medicine, and technology, as innovative farmers and ranchers, as distinguished lawyers, judges, and government leaders, as prominent contributors in the arts, literature, and sports, as war heroes who defended our country from fascism, and as peacetime healthcare heroes currently on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Amherst’s population is approximately 15 percent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and includes devoted community members who serve as artists, business owners, educators, health care professionals, lawyers and judges, clergy members, first responders, and military personnel; and
WHEREAS, while we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that enrich our history, society, and culture, we must also acknowledge the additional determination, hard work, and perseverance AAPI individuals must put forth to be heard and seen and that these additional efforts are a result of inequitable institutional and systemic injustices such as those most recently manifested in racist attacks on Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, despite their contributions and leadership, the role of AAPI individuals in the U.S. has been consistently overlooked and undervalued in the teaching and study of American history.
NOW, THEREFORE, we the Amherst Town Council do hereby proclaim the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we ask you to join us in the Town’s first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month virtual celebration on Monday, May 17th, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
Voted on May 3, 2021
