U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES BILL CELEBRATING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill designating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The bill’s sponsor, Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i), described to lawmakers from the House floor the significant cultural and economic contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to make.
“The Asian American and Pacific Islander, or AAPI, community is composed of more than 15 million people. AAPIs own 1.1 million businesses, generating an estimated $326 billion for our nation’s economy. The community is a crucial element in the cultural fabric of the United States,” said Hirono. “We celebrate the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month not only to commemorate the achievements of the AAPI community, but to remind us of the work that is left to do.”
That ongoing work includes Congresswoman Hirono’s sponsorship of H.R. 1287, the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, which would exempt the sons and daughters of naturalized Filipino veterans from immigration quotas. Hirono also supports S. 1315, which allows surviving Filipino World War II veterans to attain veterans’ benefits. This measure is now before the House after it overwhelmingly passed the U.S. Senate. Congresswoman Hirono is also a strong backer of H.R. 505, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, which aims to grant Native Hawaiians the same rights to manage their affairs currently enjoyed by other indigenous people, such as American Indians and Alaska Natives.
“This month is a terrific opportunity to show our pride in the numerous contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to improve our country while also addressing the challenges this segment of our community continues to face,” said Hirono.
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