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Item 5.a <br /> <br />Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month <br />May 2023 <br />Whereas: The City of Roseville is committed to recognizing and honoring the contributions of <br />all members of our community; and <br />Whereas: In 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-450 which annually designated May as <br />Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and <br />Whereas: The Month of May was selected to commemorate the immigration of Japanese <br />citizens to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to mark the anniversary of the completion of <br />the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 with the majority of the workers being Chinese <br />Immigrants who were often mistreated; and <br />Whereas: Japanese American troops fought for freedom from tyranny abroad in World War II <br />while their families here at home were interned simply on the basis of their ethnic origin; and <br /> <br />Whereas: In 1965, the Immigration and Nationality Act opened new doors of opportunity to <br />more Asian and Pacific Islander Immigrants; and <br /> <br />Whereas: The end of the Vietnam War brought new Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong and <br />Laotian communities to the United States of America and Minnesota; and <br /> <br />Whereas: There are over 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States <br />with over 260,000 calling Minnesota home and with nearly 3500 in Roseville based on the 2020 <br />Census; and <br /> <br />Whereas: Many Roseville residents identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander, particularly <br />Hmong and Karen community members. They contribute to the vibrant community of Roseville <br />through their rich cultures and also as business owners, educators, scientists, artists and many <br />other ways; and <br /> <br />Whereas: The Hmong people began arriving in Minnesota in 1975 as refugees from the <br />destructive wars in their homeland, in which the Twin Cities metro region has the largest <br />concentration of Hmong people in America; and <br /> <br />Whereas: The Karen people have been oppressed in their homeland for decades and sought <br />refuge in other places, with St Paul currently supporting one of the largest Karen communities in <br />America; and <br /> <br /> <br />