Governor Proclaims Asian American - Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021

WHEREAS, North Carolina has been home to members of the Asian American-Pacific Islander (AAPI) community since the mid-nineteenth century, when the first immigrants from China began to settle in our state; and

WHEREAS, Raleigh and Charlotte are home to the largest communities of Asian American-Pacific Islanders in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the efforts and contributions of Asian American-Pacific Islanders can be seen in every aspect of society, including education, history, politics, health care, business, and science, playing a pivotal role in America’s history; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, Representatives Frank Horton (NY) and Norman Y. Mineta (CA) introduced a House Resolution to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage week; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a bill passed by the United States Congress to extend the week-long celebration to a month, and in 1992, the official designation of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month became law; and

WHEREAS, despite the progress that has been made, Asian American-Pacific Islanders still experience significant discrimination, violence, verbal harassment, and xenophobia; according to a report issued by the Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center, there were over 3,200 recorded hate incidents against Asian Americans in 2020, though the number of actual incidents is believed to be much higher; and

WHEREAS, analysis by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism revealed that hate crimes targeting Asian people rose 150 percent in 16 of America’s largest cities; per national trends, AAPI women reported hate incidents 2.3 more times than men; and

WHEREAS, North Carolinians must come together to end racial and ethnic prejudice and violence and to condemn the alarming increase in anti-Asian hate speech and violence; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, the premier organization representing Asian American-Pacific Islander employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments, has announced the 2021 theme for Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Month as Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Driven Service; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is proud to commemorate May as Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Month and to recognize the contributions of Asian-Pacific Americans to diversity, leadership, and empowerment throughout our nation’s history;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May, 2021, as “ASIAN AMERICAN – PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.