HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.255
Reps. Puri, Xiong, Brenda Carter, Young, Brixie, Andrews,
Brabec, Fitzgerald, MacDonell, Martus, Tisdel, Kuhn, Steckloff,
Dievendorf, Edwards, Byrnes, Miller, McKinney, Pohutsky, Breen,
Arbit, Glanville, Haadsma, Hill, Paiz, Rheingans, Rogers, Weiss and
Wilson offered the following resolution:
1 A resolution to declare May 2024 as Asian American, Native
2 Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the state of
3 Michigan.
4 Whereas, The state of Michigan is fortunate to be home to more
5 than 420,000 residents of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and
6 Pacific Islander (AANHPI) descent; and
7 Whereas, AANHPI comprise one of the fastest growing
8 populations in both the state and the nation, with a thirty-nine
AANHPI M 24H
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1 percent population growth since 2012. In fact, AANHPI is the
2 largest-growing population in Michigan according to the last U.S.
3 Census; and
4 Whereas, The Asian and Pacific Island regions are tremendously
5 diverse, with more than thirty countries, numerous languages, and
6 multiple belief systems; and
7 Whereas, Residents of AANHPI descent in each generation, from
8 the laborers who connected our coasts one and a half centuries ago
9 to the patriots who fought overseas while their families were
10 interned at home, to the entrepreneurs and engineers who help our
11 economy thrive, and our healthcare professionals who have served to
12 ensure public health during the pandemic, these patriotic Americans
13 have enhanced our culture, quality of life, and economic vitality
14 through leadership, commitments to knowledge, education, and
15 advancement, and dedication to their communities; and
16 Whereas, The state of Michigan and the United States of
17 America have been enriched by the contributions of AANHPI in all
18 facets of life, including the arts, sciences, business, education,
19 and philanthropy. Michigan has recognized the contributions AANHPI
20 and other immigrants make to our economy with the establishment of
21 the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission and Office
22 of Global Michigan; and
23 Whereas, The culture and contributions of our Asian American,
24 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island residents will continue to grow
25 in significance as more AANHPI choose to make Michigan their home
26 and as our economy becomes increasingly intertwined with the
27 economies throughout Asia and the Pacific; and
28 Whereas, AANHPI, through advocating issues of justice and
29 equity, continue to break down the barriers of discrimination,
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1 indifference, and intolerance, thereby opening doors for all AANHPI
2 we must also recognize that throughout our history, AANHPI
3 communities have been the target of violence, disenfranchisement,
4 efforts to restrict immigration, and other xenophobic policies at
5 the federal, state, and local level. The echoes of this dark
6 history are evident today in the shameful increase in Anti-Asian
7 hate seen across the country. It is imperative that we confront
8 past and present racism and fight for the safety and inclusion of
9 our AANHPI friends and neighbors.
10 Whereas, AANHPI residents are proudly served in Michigan by
11 many dedicated organizations, including Asian Pacific American
12 Chamber of Commerce, Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Asian
13 American Citizens for Justice, Asian Center Southeast Michigan and
14 West Michigan, West Michigan Asian Pacific American Association,
15 APIA-Vote Michigan, Rising Voices, Sikh Coalition, Michigan Asian
16 Pacific American Bar Association, South Asian Bar Association of
17 Michigan, South Asian American Voices for Impact, MI-India
18 Foundation, India League of America-Michigan, Asian Indian Women’s
19 Association of Michigan, and many more; and
20 Whereas, The state of Michigan takes pride in its cultural
21 diversity and welcomes the opportunity to honor our AANHPI
22 residents for their lasting, expanding imprint upon our state; now,
23 therefore, be it
24 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
25 this legislative body declare May 2024 as Asian American, Native
26 Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the state of
27 Michigan. We encourage all citizens to celebrate the individual and
28 collective contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and
29 Pacific Islanders to this state and to this country.