MAYOR Antonio Villaraigosa honored the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander culture
MAYOR Antonio Villaraigosa honored the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander culture and traditions during the opening ceremonies of Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month (APIAHM) at City Hall on Friday, April 27.
The 2012 APIAHM kick-off began with a ceremony inside Council Chambers where Mayor Villaraigosa presented the Hope of Los Angeles Award to K.W. Lee, award-winning journalist and founder of the first national English-language Korean American newspaper, Koreatown Weekly; the Dream of Los Angeles Award to Jyoti Nanda, faculty member in the David J. Epstein Public Interest Law Program and Critical Race Studies Program at UCLA’s School of Law; and the Spirit of Los Angeles Award to Michelle Kwan, the most decorated figure skater in US history.
Mayor Villaraigosa also unveiled the 2012 Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural category_ide produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs.
“I am proud to be paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched Los Angeles’ history and are instrumental in its future success,” Mayor Villaraigosa said.
“Today and throughout the month of May we celebrate the immeasurable contribution you have made to our City and our Nation.”
Following the ceremony, a public event featuring food and live entertainment took place at the City Hall South Plaza. The event themed, “Breaking the Mold,” was sponsored by TimeWarner.
APIAHM launches a month-long calendar of cultural events and a Poster Contest open to all Los Angeles County students (grades K-12) that encourages the creation of original artwork based on their interpretation of the 2012 Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month’s theme “Breaking the Mold.” Poster competition deadline is May 4, 2012. Winners will be notified after May 14, 2012.
Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869.
In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a month long celebration.
Los Angeles is home to people originating from all around the world. During the month of May, the City celebrates its rich Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and honors Asian Pacific Islander Americans who have inspired progress and contributed to the betterment of our diverse Los Angeles community.
(www.asianjournal.com)