Enrolled Copy S.C.R. 101
1 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING ASIAN AMERICAN
2 AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITIES
3 2021 FIRST SPECIAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Jani Iwamoto
6 House Sponsor: Karen Kwan
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution highlights the importance of Asian American and Pacific Islander
11 communities to the state of Utah, condemns attacks perpetrated specifically against
12 those communities, and encourages education and empathy.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 < describes the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the state of
16 Utah;
17 < honors the cultural and economic contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific
18 Islanders to the state of Utah; and
19 < condemns, and encourages education and empathy to combat, anti-Asian hate.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
22
23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, over 24 million Americans are Asian American or Pacific Islander;
25 WHEREAS, with an increase of over 50% in the past decade, Asian Americans are the
26 fastest-growing minority population in the state of Utah and in the nation, according to
27 estimates from the United States Census Bureau;
28 WHEREAS, the state of Utah is home to the fifth-largest Native Hawaiian and Other
29 Pacific Islander population in the nation, with nearly 38,000 individuals;
 S.C.R. 101 Enrolled Copy
30 WHEREAS, two Utah cities -- Salt Lake City and West Valley City -- have the largest
31 and second-largest population of Tongans of any city in the United States;
32 WHEREAS, the total population of Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders in
33 Salt Lake City is proportionally greater than any other city in the continental United States;
34 WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders encompass a wide range of
35 diversity, consisting of more than 56 ethnic groups and speaking over 100 different languages;
36 WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have brought forward
37 meaningful cultural and economic contributions to the state of Utah through numerous means;
38 WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are an important and integral part
39 of the country and state's history, having been part of Utah's history for the past 150-plus years;
40 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has continually supported educational sites and resources
41 to preserve and recognize facets of Asian American history, including the establishment of the
42 Topaz Museum and Education Center;
43 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has honored culturally significant practices and traditions
44 that are important to many Asian and Southeast Asian cultures, including the Lunar New Year;
45 WHEREAS, the month of May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which
46 celebrates the contributions of generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders;
47 WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have helped build and unite this
48 country for generations, from laying railroad tracks, starting businesses, and serving the nation
49 in uniform, such that Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are deeply rooted in
50 the history of the country and the state of Utah; and
51 WHEREAS, the state of Utah has a remarkable tradition of practicing compassion and
52 affirming the concept that race and ethnicity do not determine nor limit value, opportunity, and
53 life outcomes:
54 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
55 Governor concurring therein, encourages all Utahns to join the Legislature and Governor in
56 celebrating the history, people, and cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders this
57 month.
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 Enrolled Copy S.C.R. 101
58 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
59 concurring therein, condemns anti-Asian hate and calls for increased civility, understanding,
60 and respect.
61 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
62 concurring therein, encourages Utahns to seek opportunities to appreciate the rich cultural
63 heritage and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and educational
64 institutions to share the accomplishments and contributions of those communities with the state
65 of Utah and the country.
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