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S3304
2026 -- S 3304
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LC005906
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
CELEBRATING MAY OF 2026, AS "ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND
PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By:
Senators Ujifusa, Gu, LaMountain, Felag, Burke, Vargas, de la Cruz,
Famiglietti, Valverde, and Appollonio
Date Introduced:
May 19, 2026
Referred To:
Recommended for Immediate Consideration
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WHEREAS, In 1978, a Joint Congressional Resolution established the first ten days of
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May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. These particular days were chosen because they
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coincide with the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants in May of 1843, and
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the contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad which was
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completed in May of 1869; and
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WHEREAS, In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month-long celebration
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known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and in 2021, President Biden
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issued a Proclamation declaring May as "Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
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Heritage Month"; and
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WHEREAS, The number of Asian American residents in the United States was an
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estimated 24 million according to the 2020 census, with more than 54 percent holding a
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Bachelor's degree or higher level of education, and an estimated 581,200 Asian-owned employer
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firms. In addition, Asian Americans encompass more than one million actively serving personnel
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in the United States Military; and
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WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians have been
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serving honorably in the United States Military since the War of 1812; and
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WHEREAS, The Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander workforce
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contribute across numerous fields including professional, scientific and technical services, as well
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as education, financial management, engineering, nursing, healthcare, medicine, social assistance,
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retail, construction, and repair and maintenance, and have paid billions in federal, state, and local
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taxes; and
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WHEREAS, There have been connections between China and Rhode Island since the
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18th Century, as highlighted in a recent exhibition entitled, "The Celestial City: Newport and
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China" at Rosecliff Mansion from September 2023 to February 2024, which revealed that people
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of Chinese heritage contributed to life in Newport, including immigrant entrepreneurs, suffragists,
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merchants, makers and sailors; and
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WHEREAS, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) have
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enriched the diversity, strength and vibrancy of our state through their culture, language, and
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religion, and it is fitting and vital to honor and acknowledge their invaluable contributions; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims May of
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2026, as "Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" and urges all
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Rhode Islanders to learn more about the history and contributions of Asian Americans, Native
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Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and to observe this month with appropriate programs and
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activities; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the recipients of Senate Citations presented on
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May 19, 2026, to those who have helped promote AANHPI culture and history in Rhode Island.
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LC005906
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