1995 US Code
Title 36 - PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES
CHAPTER 9 - NATIONAL OBSERVANCES
Sec. 169k - Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May 7Eof 7Eeach 7Eyear 7Eis 7Edesignated 7Eas 7E“Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month”.

The President is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the month designated in subsection (a) of this section with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

The chief executive officer of each State is requested to issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the State to observe the month designated in subsection (a) of this section with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.

For purposes of subsection (c) of this section, the term “State” means any of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau.

(Pub. L. 102–450, §2, Oct. 23, 1992, 106 Stat. 2251.)

Section 1 of Pub. L. 102–450 provided that: “The Congress finds that—

“(1) on May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants came to the United States;

“(2) on May 10, 1869, Golden Spike Day, the first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed with significant contributions from Chinese pioneers;

“(3) in 1979, at Congress’ direction, the President proclaimed the week beginning on May 4, 1979, as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, providing an opportunity for the people of the United States to recognize the history, concerns, contributions, and achievements of Asian and Pacific Americans;

“(4) in 1990, 1991 and 1992, Congress designated and the President proclaimed the month of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month;

“(5) nearly 8,000,000 people in the United States can trace their roots to Asia and the islands of the Pacific; and

“(6) Asian and Pacific Americans have contributed significantly to the development of the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce, and education in the United States.”