Title
Special recognition honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Lake County joins the nation in recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and
WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Many of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders make our country more vibrant through a diversity of cultures, languages, religions, and countries that encompass their communities; and
WHEREAS, Lake County pays tribute to the generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success; and
WHEREAS, we celebrate and honor the invaluable contributions the Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities have made in all areas of society including the arts, politics, science, education, and business; and
WHEREAS, we continue to see persistent harassment, racism, and hate crimes against these communities. Lake County condemns these hateful acts of violence and believes every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RECOGNIZED, that this County Board of Lake County, Illinois recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and encourages residents to reflect on and share their contributions, successes, and challenges through our history.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on May 14, 2024.