HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3d. Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month Proclamation
WHEREAS, in 1978 Congress passed a joint congressional resolution to commemorate Asian
American Heritage Week during the first week of May, and.
WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese
people to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the
transcontinental railroad on May 10th, 1869, which was primarily completed by Chinese laborers and.
WHEREAS, Asian Pacific Islander and Desi Americans have made lasting contributions to the history
of California and the United States that include, but are not limited to groundbreaking advancements
in medicine, technology, and science. As well as co-organizing the Delano Grape Strike, and advocating
for civil rights; and
WHEREAS, the San Luis Obispo region is home to a rich history of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi
American Community, which includes in the 1500s the first documented migration of Filipinos to
Morro Bay, in the 1870s the over 150 Chinese laborers who constructed the Cuesta Grade road as well
as the mining and draining for the Laguna Lake area, the 800 block of Palm street, which was once
home to a vibrant and thriving Chinatown, and in the 1920s to 1940s Eto street was home to a robust
Japan town, now commemorated by Eto park. All of which are now are important markers of this
community’s history and legacy, and.
WHEREAS, Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans have endured hardships, including unjust working
conditions, prejudice, xenophobia, anti-Asian violence, and discrimination in some of the darkest
times in our state’s and nation’s history, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, naturalized citizenship
ineligibility, the Alien Land Law, antimiscegenation laws, Japanese internment, and most recently
during the COVID-19 pandemic; and,
WHEREAS, Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans constitute 15 percent of California’s population
and represent diverse ancestries that include, but are not limited to, Indian, Bangladeshi, Burmese,
Cambodian, Chamorro, Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Guamanian, Japanese, Korean,
Laotian, Malaysian, Mongolian, Nepalese, Native Hawaiian, Vietnamese, Okinawan, Pakistani, Samoan, Sri
Lankan, Thai, Tongan, and other Pacific Islander; and;
WHEREAS, celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month provides our
community with an opportunity to recognize the achievements, contributions, and history of Asian
Pacific Islander and Desi Americans locally and nationally.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Erica A. Stewart, Mayor of the City of San Luis Obispo, on behalf of the entire City
Council, hereby proclaim the recognition of the month of May as APIDA Heritage Month and urge all
community members of the city of San Luis Obispo to join me in recognizing the importance of this
Month.
APIDA heritage Month
May 2022
May 17, 2022
Mayor Date