Asian Pacific Islander Month Proclamation

2021 ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed during the month of May to recognize the contributions and influence of Asians and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Hillsboro is proud to be home to an Asian and Pacific Islander population that contributes greatly to the prosperity and enrichment of our community; and

WHEREAS, for more than a century, Asian and Pacific Islander communities have made valuable contributions to all areas of life in Hillsboro, including government, business, arts and sciences, medicine, education, and law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hillsboro pays tribute to all API community members who have striven, fought and sacrificed for a brighter future for the next generations; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander communities are deeply rooted in both the United States and Oregon, reminding us of both proud and painful chapters of our history; and

WHEREAS, racism and discrimination against API people, and experienced by our neighbors here in Hillsboro, must be recognized and named; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the negative impact of institutional and structural racism, past and present, and pledge never to repeat the egregious acts of historic discrimination committed including the incarceration and relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II, the exclusion of Chinese in the 1880’s, and the Muslim Ban of 2017; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hillsboro is committed to building a safe and inclusive community where API communities feel safe, included, represented, and celebrated; and
WHEREAS, diversity represents one of our greatest strengths, and by recognizing the heterogeneity and richness of the many Asian and Pacific Islander cultures in Hillsboro, our City celebrates the importance of inclusion to building a stronger community for all; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Steve Callaway, Mayor of the City of Hillsboro, Oregon, do hereby proclaim May 2021 as ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH in Hillsboro and I call this observance to the attention of all our community members.
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Steve Callaway, Mayor
May 3, 2021