WHEREAS, The earliest Asian Americans immigrated to the United States in the 1800s; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have played a critical role in the social, economic, and political development of California throughout its history; and

WHEREAS, The 5.5 million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in California are one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in the state; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans represent over 15.5 percent of California’s population and represent ancestries that include, but are not limited to, Asian Indian, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodian, Chamorro, Chinese, Taiwanese, Filipino, Hmong, Indonesian, Iu-Mien, Iwo Jiman, Guamanian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Maldivian, Mongolian, Nepalese, Native Hawaiian, Vietnamese, Okinawan, Pakistani, Samoan, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Tongan, and other Pacific Islander; and

WHEREAS, The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs was established in 2004 and is charged with advising the Governor, the Legislature, and state agencies on issues relating to the social and economic development, rights, and interests of the Asian and Pacific Islander American communities; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander American entrepreneurs have led many of California’s businesses to the pinnacle of their respective industries; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander American communities throughout California actively promote their cultural heritage and promote cross-cultural understanding; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans will continue to be an important part of California’s diverse tapestry of cultures and ideas; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have contributed greatly to California’s economic success, rural growth, and urban development; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans continue to cultivate and advance the fields of the arts and humanities, business, education, information technology, law, public safety, science, sports, and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander American refugees have revitalized many of California’s communities, while bringing in new ideas and economic opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander American immigrants and refugees had to overcome tremendous odds and cultural barriers to establish a better life for their families; and

WHEREAS, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have a proud legacy of service and dedication to the state and to the United States; now, therefore, be it