Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Prior to 2009, this observance was known as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. As part of the celebration, Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans are recognized for their influence and contributions to the achievements and culture of our nation.

In the United States, we have a rich and diverse history, and it is important to celebrate that. It is believed that the first Japanese to arrive in North America was a young boy who arrived in October 1587 with a Franciscan friar. They were Filipinos who arrived in California. In the year 1778, Hawaii had the first documented Chinese immigrants. Samoans and Vietnamese also arrived in Hawaii between 1920 and 1912.?

The idea of celebrating Asian Pacific Americans was first proposed to Representative Frank Horton in the 1970s by Jeanie Jew, a fourth-generation Chinese American who worked on Capitol Hill. In June 1977, Horton introduced a resolution to the House of Representatives with the assistance of Norman Y. Mineta to recognize the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate just a month later. By signing a joint resolution on October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter made the then-weeklong celebration official. In 1990, George H.W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress that designated May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.

"Our country was founded by immigrants, and many of us have ancestors who came here to achieve the American Dream and a better life for themselves and their families."

In addition to their hard work, ideas, and creations, Asian American immigrants and Pacific Islanders also contribute significantly to our economy. By celebrating their rich cultures, we better understand diversity and how they have strengthened our communities. It is through celebrations that healthy dialogue between races can be maintained.

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Kal Gajraj is a Miami/Fort Lauderdale-based communications and brand strategist. He has two decades of marketing and public relations experience, including B2C and B2B focuses. He is a certified diversity professional with experience in healthcare, performing arts, education, and retail. Kal is currently an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College's School of Global Business.