Las Vegas, Nev. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Mazie K. Hirono and a group of 21 Senators to introduce a resolution recognizing the importance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
“I’m proud to recognize the vital role that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played across the nation and particularly in Nevada. The Silver State is home to one of the most vibrant and fastest-growing AAPI communities in America, and their heritage is woven into the fabric of our state. The diverse members of our AAPI community are contributing so much to the Silver State, and they’re leaders in areas from medicine and business to education and public service,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “In this month commemorating the heritage and achievements of Asian and Pacific Islanders in America, I encourage all Nevadans to learn about the deep roots of this community in our state and join together in celebrating the diverse history and rich culture of AAPI Americans.”
“APA Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the cultures, the trailblazers, and stories of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaii and across the country,” Senator Hirono said. “While we celebrate these contributions, there is still much work to be done to ensure opportunity and equality for AAPI communities, and we must continue fighting for these goals.”
The resolution also recognizes several significant milestones for the AAPI community, such as the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies; the 40th anniversary of the first Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week; the 45th anniversary of Lau v. Nichols, which expanded equal educational opportunities and paved the way for bilingual programs in public schools; and the 150th anniversary of the completion of the first Transcontinental railroad.
In addition to Senators Cortez Masto and Hirono, the 2019 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month resolution is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Col.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).