A resolution recognizing the significance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States.
S. Res. 214 is a Senate resolution that formally recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of these communities to United States history. The resolution compiles a broad set of “Whereas” statements describing the diverse and growing AAPI population, notable historical milestones, iconic figures, and ongoing challenges such as hate crimes and discrimination. It also references several related federal efforts and commemorations (e.g., recognition of anniversaries in 2025, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, and efforts to study a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture) to place the designation within a broader context of awareness and celebration. Importantly, the bill is ceremonial and non-binding; it does not create new laws or authorize funding, but it aligns with existing provisions that designate May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and encourages continued recognition and engagement.
Key Points
- 1The resolution designates May as a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the United States, reaffirming the significance of Heritage Month as a national observance.
- 2It emphasizes the diversity of the AAPI community (more than 70 distinct ethnicities and over 100 language dialects) and notes demographic growth, including more than 25 million Asian Americans and about 1.8 million Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
- 3The document highlights historical anniversaries in 2025 (e.g., the 40th anniversary of Space Shuttle Discovery Mission STS-51C, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the Hokulea voyage, the 60th anniversary of the Immigration and Nationality Act amendments, and the 115th anniversary of Angel Island Immigration Station) and lists notable Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals who have shaped U.S. government and public life.
- 4It acknowledges ongoing discrimination and hate crimes against Asian Americans, referencing past injustices and the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act as part of the federal response, while noting broader historical contexts of anti-Asian prejudice.
- 5The resolution cites related federal efforts and commemorations (e.g., the National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act study commission, Mint commemoratives honoring AAPI figures) and affirms that AAPI communities are integral to the nation’s diversity and strength.