HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Proclamation ki ', V
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PROCLAMATION � ,�y,� �� ���'���
Whereas: Asian American and Pacific Islander(AAPI)Heritage Month is observed during the month of May to
recognize the cantributions and influence of AAPI persans as part of the whole history,culture,and
achievements of the United States;and
Whereas: AAPI Heritage in the United States was ceiebrated at least as eariy as 1978 and was made into a
month-long event in 1992;and
Whereas: Lexingtan is proud to be home to a large AAPI population that contributes greatly to the prosperity
and enrichment of our community;and
Whereas: during AAPI Heritage Month,we acknow�ledge AAPI persons have lived and worked in the United
States for more than 200 years,and have made s'rgnificant contributions to all facets of the United
States such as economy,culture,education,politics, arts,law enfarcement, military, literature,science,
and technological developments despite institutional and systemic injustices designed
to silence and cover up these achievements and contributions;and
Whereas: during AAPI Neritage Month,we acknowledge the additional determination,hard work,and
perseverance AAPI persons must put forth to be heard and seen and that these additional efforts are a
result of inequitable institutionai and systemic injustices; and
Whereas: despite these contributions and teadership,the role of AAPI persons in the U.S.has been consistently
overlo4ked and undervalued in education inciuding areas such as math, science, literature,and
American history;and
Whereas: we celebrate the achievements and contributions of AAPI persons that enrich our history,society,and
culture,we must also acknowledge a darker aspect of the AAPI experience in America,which includes
.painful stereotypes, structural discrimination, injustices,and periods of hate and violence. These
actians come at the cost of the mentai health af the AAPI community and distorts the larger
community's ability to recognize the humanity in us all;and
[�i'hereas: the AAPI communities are among the fastest growing populations in Lexington;and
Whereas: AAPI communities in Lexington have shared their rich culture and traditions while representing their
communities through pubiic service and advocacy;and
Whereas: diversity represents one of our greatest strengths,and by recognizing the contributions and
accomplishments of AAPI persons,our town will put our values of inclusion into practice to build a
brighter future far all of our residents;and
Whereas: Lexington is committed to providing comprehensive support to ensure that Lexington is equitable and
weicoming to all people;and
Whereas: each of us has a personal responsibility to prevent the spread of misinformation, stereotypes,condemn
violent acts in any form,support all feilow community members, and reject stigma,hate,and bias in
alt its forms;and
Whereas: Lexington is proud to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, and commemorate the essential contributions,
sacrifices,and accornplishments that the AAPI communities have made,
NOT�i; THEREFORE, WE, THE SELECT BOARD of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts, da hereby proclaim the
month of May to be annually recognized as
AAP�Heritage Month
in the Town of Lexington. We cail this observance to the attention of all our residents with the support af the Lexington
Human Services Department and the Lexington Human Rights Committee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have set our hands and caused the seai of Lexingtan to be affixed herewith on the 25`�'of
April2p22. . ��
�,t,l �.I�'�J �
JILL L HAI, JOSEP PATO
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SUZANNEE.BARRY DOUGLASM UCENTE
MAR4:D.$ANDEEN