WASHINGTON, DC – Today, exactly 109 years after the first Korean immigrants arrived in the United States, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements to commemorate January 13th as Korean American Day:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-32), CAPAC Chairwoman: “The story of America is one of immigrants making this country their own and moving our nation forward through their invaluable contributions.  The Korean American community is a perfect example of that ideal.  From the first arrivals in 1903 to the present, Korean Americans have come to play pivotal roles in so many aspects of American life.  From business to the arts, academia to our armed services, Korean Americans have left an indelible mark on this country, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to celebrate their impact today.”

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In the picture taken after the Diwali proclamation at Carson City Board of Supervisors on November three, from left to right, are — supervisors Shelly Aldean, Karen Abowd, Mayor Robert Crowell, Hindu leader Rajan Zed, Molly Walt and John McKenna. (Photo by: M.L. Bates)

Nevada’s capital Carson City in USA issued a proclamation on November three “recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali”.

Carson City Mayor Robert L. Crowell read the proclamation in the meeting of Carson City Board of Supervisors and then presented it to Hindu statesman Rajan Zed.

Reading out of the proclamation, Mayor Crowell said: I “do hereby recognize the historical and religious significance of Diwali, the festival of lights, and appreciate the religious diversity in both India, the United States and throughout the world and acknowledge and support the relationship of collaboration and respect between the United States and India.”

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Dr. Ligaya Carlos, president-elect of the Cultural Society of Filipino Americans (CSFA), spearheaded the move to have October 2011 proclaimed Filipino American History month. Although the proclamation is only for the month of October, the spirit of the event is celebrated throughout the year by the different Filipino community organizations and groups including CSFA.

This proclamation was signed by Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton last October 13, 2011 and was read by CSFA ex-officio Glen King to the public on October 15, 2011 during CSFA’s Induction of Officers Dinner and Dance at the Hilton Hotel MSP Airtport.   This event was attended by Philippine Consul General in Chicago Leo Herrera-Lim, who said that Minnesota is the third state in the Midwest to have October proclaimed Filipino American History Month.

The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans make up one of the largest Asian American ethnic groups in the United States today and over ten thousand Filipinos and Filipino Americans reside in the state of Minnesota;

WHEREAS, the earliest documented evidence of Filipinos in continental United States occurred in October 18, 1587, when mariners called “Luzones indios” under Spanish command landed in Morro Bay, California, as published by Lorraine Jacobs Crouchett in her book, Filipinos in California (1982), which annotated John Walton Caughey’s book, California (1953) and HR Wagner’s Unamuno’s Voyage to California in 1587 in the Quarterly of the California Historical Society (July 1923);

WHEREAS, the Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in 1988 and subsequently, every October, several communities throughout the United States and its territories, have celebrated this occasion, not only to commemorate the anniversary of the presence of the first Filipinos in US soil and to observe its heritage, but also to recognize the social, intellectual and economic contributions of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in this country;

WHEREAS, this is an appropriate time to promote and reflect on Philippine history and culture to provide all Americans with the opportunity to learn and appreciate more the Filipino Americans and their historic and social contribution to the USA;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to instill in our youth the importance of education, history and ethnicity in creating eminent role models, in establishing a proud cultural identity and producing exceptional citizens of this nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Dayton, Governor of the State of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2011 to be FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH in Minnesota State.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Minnesota to be affixed at the State Capitol this 13th day of October 2011.

Signed Mark Dayton

Governor

Signed Mark Ritchie

Secretary of State

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4)

Washington, D.C. (April 19, 2011) – In remembrance of the Cambodian genocide, which lasted from April 1975 to January 1979, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) cosponsored a Congressional resolution honoring the victims and their families.

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Sacramento, Calif. (April 13, 2011) – On the steps of the California State Capitol, dozens of California elected officials, including Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, and hundreds of members of the Sikh American community and greater California community celebrated the first ever American Sikh Day in California.

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Washington, D.C. (February 2, 2011) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary has released a statement by President Barack Obama on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

President Barack Obama

“I send my best wishes to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and all who celebrate the Lunar New Year across the United States and around the world.

“As people of all cultures and faiths welcome in the new year, let all of us celebrate our families and our ancestors, and enjoy the company of our loved ones.  Across America, in large cities and in small towns, many will mark this occasion with festive celebrations. Many Americans of Asian descent will carry on the rich traditions of their heritage, reminding us again that America’s strength comes from the richness of our cultures and the diversity of our people.

“I wish all who celebrate the new year peace, prosperity and good health.”

By Tom LaVenture
AAP staff writer

Washington, D.C. (January 31, 2011) – Californians celebrated the first Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties last Friday, the first time a state has named a day for an Asian American in U.S. history. The day is desig

ned as a school curriculum program to encourage students to learn the Korematsu story and its relevance in the present post-9/11 environment. The first Korematsu Day was celebrated on his birthday, January 30, 2011.

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Washington, D.C. (December 18, 2010) – Yesterday, US Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, along with CAPAC executive board members, issued the following statements applauding the passage of House Resolution 1377 honoring and recognizing the contributions made by former Secretary Norman Mineta to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and to our nation.

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Fred Korematsu (1919-2005) with his Presidential Medal of Freedom. (Photo by Shirley Nakao, Courtesy of the Korematsu Institute).

AAP staff report

Sacramento, Calif. (September 23, 2010) – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution bill making it the first day named after an Asian American in U.S. history. Korematsu Day is designed as a school curriculum program to encourage schools to teach students about the Fred Korematsu story and its relevance in the present post-9/11 environment.

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Washington, D.C. (June 10, 2010) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary reports that this week, President Barack Obama issued a Proclamation to declare June 11, 2010 as King Kamehameha Day. The Proclamation reads:

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