Press Release
☷A Proclamation on Asian American Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022
White House ( By Press Release office)
Apr 29,2022
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During Asian American , Native Hawaiian , and Pacific Islander Heritage Month , our Nation recognizes the innumerable contributions , vibrant cultures , and rich heritage of Asian Americans , Native Hawaiians , and Pacific Islanders ( AA and NHPIs ) . As some of the fastest - growing racial and ethnic groups in the Nation , AA and NHPI communities represent a multitude of ethnicities , languages , and experiences that enrich America and strengthen our Union . AA and NHPIs have long played an essential role in writing the American story . From serving our country in uniform , advocating for civil rights , starting new businesses , and winning Olympic medals , the contributions of the AA and NHPI community touch the lives of Americans every day . AA and NHPIs serve with distinction at the highest levels of Federal , State , and local government . I am proud to have Vice President Kamala Harris , the first person of South Asian descent to serve as Vice President , and Katherine Tai , the first Asian American United States Trade Representative , in my Administration . As we celebrate AA and NHPI communities , we must also redouble our commitment to combating the surge of anti - Asian hate crimes . The First Lady and I shared the Nation’s outrage as we witnessed these crimes increase by 339 percent last year compared to the year before in cities across America . Many other incidents of anti - Asian bias , xenophobia , and harassment that surfaced throughout the COVID - 19 pandemic were not even reported . We cannot allow these horrific acts to continue threatening the safety of AA and NHPI Americans — especially women , girls , and the elderly . These acts are wrong; they are un - American; and they must stop . In my first week in office , I directed all executive departments and agencies to combat xenophobia , hate , and discrimination against AA and NHPI communities . I also signed into law last May the COVID - 19 Hate Crimes Act to provide law enforcement with resources to identify , investigate , and report hate crimes and ensure that hate crimes information is more accessible to AA and NHPI communities . As we work to ensure that hatred has no safe harbor in America’s future , we must confront shameful chapters in our history . That is why , for example , I signed into law the Amache National Historic Site Act — to memorialize the 10 , 000 Japanese Americans who were unjustly imprisoned at Amache during World War II . And we will continue to root out racial injustices of our past and advance equity for all Americans as we move forward . Toward that aim , my Administration is making long - overdue investments in AA and NHPI communities . I reestablished and expanded the President’s Advisory Commission and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans , Native Hawaiians , and Pacific Islanders . The American Rescue Plan helped reduce poverty among AA and NHPI families by approximately 26 percent . We have increased access to capital , training , and counseling for AA and NHPI entrepreneurs so their businesses can thrive . We are also working to ensure that healthcare resources are available to AA and NHPI communities . And we are rebuilding our immigration system so everyone is treated fairly and humanely — including AA and NHPI communities . This month , we celebrate our fellow Americans from AA and NHPI communities and pay tribute to all they have done to help fulfill the promise of America for all . Together , let us recommit ourselves to building a country in which every American — regardless of who they are , where they come from , or what they look like — has an equal opportunity to thrive . NOW , THEREFORE , I , JOSEPH R . BIDEN JR . , President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States , do hereby proclaim May 2022 as Asian American , Native Hawaiian , and Pacific Islander Heritage Month . I call upon all Americans to learn more about the history of AA and NHPIs , and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities . IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto set my hand this twenty - ninth day of April , in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty - two , and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty - sixth . JOSEPH R . BIDEN JR .
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