FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2015
CONTACT: Bill Bird @ 916-651-4029
Senate Pays Tribute to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Senators Unanimously Approve Huff Measure for Heritage Month
SACRAMENTO: The California Senate took formal action this week to unanimously approve Senate Constitutional Resolution (SCR) 52, passed by 39-0. SCR 52, authored by Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff (R-San Dimas), celebrated the month of May as Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. It was a month-long celebration to pay tribute to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history with their contributions and achievements.
Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States have deep roots that date back to 1763 where history traced Filipino-American sailors who had settled and worked the Manila-Acapulco trade route in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“California is home to more Asian and Pacific Islander Americans than any other state,” said Senator Huff. “Out of the 5.8 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in California, more than 500,000 own and operate a small business. Their entrepreneurial spirit brings sizeable economic contributions to the Golden State’s economy and should be highlighted.”
In the California Legislature, there are 12 State Senators and Assembly Members whose ethnicities are Asian Pacific Americans. Together, they represent, advocate, and proudly serve the interests of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in California.
SCR 52 states, in part: “Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have made indelible contributions to the history of California and the United States that include, but are not limited to, building the Transcontinental Railroad, serving honorably in the Armed Forces, fighting for the United States in foreign wars, and advocating for civil rights.”
“Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have endured hardships, including unjust working conditions, prejudice, and discrimination in some of the darkest times in our state’s and nation’s history, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, naturalized citizenship ineligibility, the Alien Land Law, antimiscegenation laws, and Japanese internment.”
California’s Asian and Pacific Islander Americans come from a variety of backgrounds that represent diverse ancestries which include, but are not limited to: Asian Indian, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodian, Chamorro, Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Iu-Mien, Iwo Jiman, Guamanian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Maldivian, Mongolian, Nepalese, Native Hawaiian, Vietnamese, Okinawan, Pakistani, Samoan, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Tongan, and other Pacific Islander.
###
Senator Huff serves as the Senate Republican Leader and represents the 29th Senate District covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. Follow Senator Huff on Twitter at @bobhuff99.