HomeMy Public PortalAbout05022023 Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is observed
nationally in the month of May, chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first
Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the
completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, as the majority of workers
who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, this recognition encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of
Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; and
WHEREAS, the diverse Asian and Pacific Islander population in Washington state is more
than 700,000 making them the second-largest and fastest-growing minority population,
and is representative of 48 Asian and Pacific Island nations; and
WHEREAS, a large percentage of the population in Bothell identify as Asian and Pacific
Islander, composed of varied ethnicities, languages, and cultures that contribute to our
community’s progress, success, and vibrancy; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been part of the history of the
United States for over 200 years contributing to the economy, culture, education, politics,
art, science and technological developments despite institutional and systemic injustices,
unjust working conditions, prejudice and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, even in the darkness of the Exclusion Act and Japanese Internment, Asian
American and Pacific Islanders persevered, and the rise in racially motivated discrimination,
harassment and hate crimes against the AAPI community cannot erase the resilience,
strength, accomplishments and joy of the people, now and throughout history.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mason Thompson, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as “Asian American
and Pacific Islander Heritage Month” in the City of Bothell to honor the AAPI community
and their inspirational character and legacies, and reinforce that education, celebration,
and public awareness is vital to our community health.
Signed this 2nd day of Ma y, 2023.
_____________________________
Mason Thompson, Mayor
Mason Thompson (May 6, 2023 17:47 PDT)
Mason Thompson