Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2016

"Let us celebrate the many contributions our AAPI brothers and sisters have made to the American mosaic."



Hey, everybody! It's May, and that means it's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! As I say every year, for many of us in the community, every month is AAPI Heritage Month. But it's nice that the powers that be have officially designated May as the month for everyone else to care. So let's celebrate.

"Our nation's story would be incomplete without the voices of countless Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who have called the land we all love home," says President Obama, proclaiming May as AAPI Heritage Month. "This month, we honor the irreplaceable roles they have played in our past, and we recommit to ensuring opportunities exist for generations of AAPIs to come."

Here is President Obama's official proclamation of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2016:

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2015

Watch a video message from the White House and read President Obama's proclamation.



It's May. Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Of course, around here, that's pretty much every month. But I appreciate the dedicated thirty-one day gesture, America. Let's celebrate.

In June 1977, Reps. Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. Twelve years later, the week was extended into a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. And here we are.

Here's a video message from Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Konrad Ng, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific Center:

Presidential Proclamation: AAPI Heritage Month, 2014

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, my friends. Let's make it a good one.

It's May, and you know what that means. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! It's the officially recognized, government-designated month to celebrate and highlight the history of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and our many contributions to the United States of America.

Though on this blog, as I like to point out every year, that's kind of like every month.

Still, AAPI Heritage Month is always a great opportunity to tout the accomplishments of our pioneers and everyday heroes, and further examine the many significant struggles and challenges still facing our community.

So, for the record, here is the proclamation signed by President Barack Obama regarding Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2014. From the office of the White House Press Secretary:

President's Proclamation of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2013

It's May! And that means it's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month -- so says the President of the United States of America. Of course, as I always say, every month is AAPI Heritage Month around here. Get your heritage on.

Originally established as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week" in 1978, then expanded and later designated "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month" in 1992, this month is a celebration of the culture, traditions and history of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

Here's the official proclamation by President Obama:

happy apa heritage month

Hey, good people of America! It's May. And that means it's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Originally established by a Congressional Resolution as Asian American Heritage Week in 1978, APAHM is a celebration of the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Here is President Obama's proclamation, issued by the White House Press Secretary last week: