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Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month May 2020 Whereas: The City of Roseville is committed to recognizing and honoring the contributions of all members of our communities; and Whereas: In 1977, Rep Frank Horton of New York introduced House Joint Resolution 540 to proclaim the first ten days in May as Pacific/Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. This first legislation did not pass; and Whereas: In 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-450 which annually designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month; and Whereas: The Month of May was selected 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. The majority of the workers were Chinese immigrants; and Whereas: Japanese American troops fought for freedom from tyranny abroad in World War II while their families here at home were interned simply on the basis of their origin; and Whereas: In 1965, the Immigration and Nationality Act opened new doors of opportunity to more Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants; and Whereas: The end of the Vietnam War brought new Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong and Laotian communities to the United States of America; and Whereas: The city of Roseville is also home to many recent immigrants from Nepal, Burma, and Thailand who bring their rich cultural heritage and traditions to the community; and Whereas: There are over 20 millionAsian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States with over 260,000 of them calling Minnesota home; and Whereas: A growing number of Roseville residents are of Asian and Pacific Island descent. They contribute to the vibrant community of Roseville as business owners, teachers, scientists, artists and through their rich cultures; and Whereas: Despite all the progress, many Asian and Pacific Islanders continue to face persistent inequality and bigotry including barriers to equal access to education, employment, and healthcare. South Asian Americans, especially those who are Muslim, Hindu or Sikh—too