Senatorial Update with Sen. Chuck Grassley
Hamburg Reporter
Q: Why is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrated in May?
A: In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the first joint congressional resolution to celebrate the cultural, social and economic contributions of Asian Pacific Americans from May 4 to 11.
The dates were chosen to mark two important anniversaries in Asian American history. On May 7, 1843, the first immigrants from Japan arrived in the United States and on May 10, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was finished.
Major work on the railroad was completed by newcomers from China.
President George H.W. Bush extended the observance for the entire month of May.