Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021 Proclamation

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation  

WHEREAS, The heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders was initially honored by the federal government in 1978. In 1992, the recognition of their heritage was expanded to a month-long observance in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have histories and cultures that are thousands of years old; and

WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen to commemorate the first recorded immigration of people from Japan to the United States in May 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, by a majority of Chinese immigrant workers who laid the tracks; and

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have enriched our social, intellectual, and artistic life in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made valuable contributions to all areas of life in Delaware County, including government, business, arts and sciences, medicine, education, law enforcement, and the military; and

WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month helps us to appreciate the diversity of our residents in Upper Darby; and by recognizing their contributions to our community, we acknowledge the importance of inclusion as we strive to create a better future for everyone; and

WHEREAS, while all ethnic groups have made significant contributions to our country, the recent dramatic spike in violence and hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for awareness of the discrimination they are facing on a daily basis.  

NOW, THEREFORE I, Barbarann Keffer, Mayor of Upper Darby Township, do hereby proclaim May 2021 as

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

in Upper Darby Township and encourage the entire community to recognize and participate in its observance.

____________________

Barbarann Keffer, Mayor

Upper Darby Township

Delaware County, Pennsylvania