Senate unanimously passes resolution recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage Month

May is recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for the fourth consecutive year.

Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced a resolution recognizing the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities have made to the United States while noting the discrimination faced by Asian Americans throughout U.S. history.

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the resolution, and it was subsequently introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Grace Meng of New York.

“Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month commemorates the diversity and historic contributions of our communities, while also recognizing the challenges we have overcome,” Hirono said. “At a time when diversity is under attack and immigrant communities are being targeted across the country, I am proud that the Senate has passed this resolution celebrating the perseverance of our communities and reaffirming our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.”

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Earlier this month, Senator Hirono introduced the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act, a bicameral piece of legislation aimed at promoting the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history in schools across the country.

The bill outlines parts of the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders that are often not taught despite their impact on life in the U.S., including the formal apology from the U.S. for its role in the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, which suppressed the inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people.

Hirono also reintroduced a package of bills focused on mental health awareness in observance of May as National Mental Health Awareness Month. The package included a resolution recognizing May 10 as National Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Mental Health Day.