Title
Recognizing May 2026 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have shaped the social, political, economic, and cultural fabric of this nation and this City; and
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month has its roots in a weeklong celebration that began in the first week of May 1979, which was eventually expanded to a month in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, and permanently designated by Congress in 1992; and
WHEREAS, AAPI stories are integral to our nation's history. The first Filipinos landed at Morro Bay, California on October 18, 1587, aboard the Nuestra Se?ora de Buena Esperanza via the Manila galleon trade, and Filipino Americans have been permanent settlers since 1763, predating the Declaration of Independence; and
WHEREAS, South Asian seamen known as "lascars" appeared in American port cities as early as the 1760s, with 1763 records documenting their presence in Philadelphia, Virginia, and beyond. Working as deckhands, merchants, and cooks on merchant ships that regularly docked in Philadelphia, they were crucial to the maritime economy despite facing lower pay, racial discrimination, and neglect; and
WHEREAS, In the City of Philadelphia, Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) residents continue to shape the City's social and cultural landscape. Philadelphia's diverse food scene, robust healthcare system and entrepreneurial spirit have all been built through significant contributions by locals and immigrants from the AAPI community; and
WHEREAS, The AAPI community in Philadelphia encompasses more than 50 distinct cultures, nearly 75 countries, and over 100 languages. Over 8% of Philadelphians are AAPI, with the largest groups being Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean and Filipino; and
WHEREAS, These diverse cultures are part of what makes our City great. AAPI residents live across the City, with major cultural pockets...
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