2021 Assembly Joint Resolution 48
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: recognizing Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month as a time to honor the important contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans to the history of the United States.
Whereas, the people of Wisconsin join together each May to pay tribute to the contributions of generations of APIDA who have enriched the history of the United States; and
Whereas, the history of APIDA in Wisconsin is inextricably tied to the story of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, there are approximately 22 million U.S. residents who identify as Asian and approximately 1.6 million U.S. residents who identify as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, comprising nearly 7 percent of the total population; and
Whereas, Wisconsin's APIDA population totaled 194,173 in 2020 and has increased 82 percent since the 2000 Census; and
Whereas, the APIDA community is an inherently diverse population, composed of more than 45 distinct ethnicities and more than 100 language dialects; and
Whereas, the immigration of Hmong refugees from Laos to Wisconsin from 1975 through the 1990s enriched the state immeasurably as Wisconsin has the third largest Hmong population in the U.S.; and
Whereas, the month of May was selected for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month because the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the first transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869, with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants; and
Whereas, APIDA Heritage Month provides the people of Wisconsin with an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and history of APIDA communities and understand the challenges they face; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin State Legislature recognizes APIDA Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans to the history of Wisconsin, and recognizes that Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American communities strengthen and enhance the rich diversity of Wisconsin.
