Biden officially declares May as AANHPI Heritage Month

WHITE HOUSE

The largest gathering of AANHPI leaders met at the White House when President Biden
unveiled the first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities.

President Biden declared May 2023 as "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" with an official proclamation that he signed April 28.

"From historic Oscar-winning performances in film to achievements across business, culture, sports, and civil rights, AA and NHPIs shape and strengthen the fabric of this Nation," stated Biden. "We see their contributions as business owners and caregivers as well as their service in the military and on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic."

In the proclamation he touted the achievements of AANHPI in the history of the United States and pointed to the high-ranking AANHPPI he has included in his administration starting with Vice President Kamala Harris, whose mother was an immigrant from India.

FYI: Click here to read the complete proclamation

He took note of the current wave of anti-Asian hate that surged from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and steps taken to address that issue.

"Despite the immeasurable ways AA and NHPIs enrich this country, we continue to see persistent racism, harassment, and hate crimes against these communities. Attacks on Asian American women and elders have left too many families afraid to leave their homes and too many loved ones traumatized," said Biden. 

"To address the rising tide of anti-Asian violence, I signed the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law — which included the Jabara-Heyer No HATE Act, making it easier for Americans to report hate crimes and to help State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies better track these hateful acts."

In just the first two years of his administration, Biden launched the "first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities. " to make sure that the entire federal government disaggregates the data that it collects so that agencies could better address and outreach to the scores of AA and NHPI communities.

FYI: 

• Click here to see more detailed stats on the AANHPI population including voter registration, marital status, housing and income. 
• Click here for more responses from members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.