A 1978 joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week to be
observed in May, a time chosen to coincide with two important anniversaries: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month long celebration.

Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month honors the achievements of American ethnic groups with roots in Asia and the Pacific Islands and recognizes their contributions to the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau lists more than 25 such groups -- Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipinos, Indian, Pakistani, Korean, Japanese, Cambodian, Laotian, Indonesian, Thai, Burmese, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Sri Lanka, Bangladeshi, and native Hawaiians, Polynesians, New Zealanders and Australians. As Americans, they contribute to the strength of the United States, help shape its future and share in its promise and opportunity.

According to 2000 U.S. Census Bureau statistics, approximately 13.5 percent of U.S. residents say they are Asian or Asian in combination with one or more other races. Hawaii is the U.S. state where Asians make up the highest proportion of the total population (58 percent) but, like most other ethnic
groups, Americans with Asian or Pacific Island heritages reside throughout the United States. An article on page 14 separately lists Minnesota’s Asian population.

This annual celebration is one of the ways in which the United States can create some awareness and recognizes the contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans to our nation. This year’s theme, “Pursuing Excellence Through Leadership, Diversity and Unity,” acknowledges the many nations and ethnicities that Asian/Pacific Americans represent and their strength and courage that has helped shape America’s character and identity. 

Asian Americans and non-Asians can celebrate by eating at Asian restaurants or attending one of numerous APA Heritage events organized by many of their local Asian American community organizations where they can taste the different foods from various Asian countries, watch cultural performances and learn more about Asian American history and culture.

To celebrate APA Heritage Month, ChinaInsight, in collaboration with the Chinese Heritage Foundation, is presenting “A Passage to China…an interactive journey” on May 17, 2008 at Southdale’s Center Court in Edina, MN. Complete details are available on the back cover of
the paper. Come and learn about China’s history, have fun and show your support of the Chinese community.