4a. Proclamation

Agenda Item: 4a 
Meeting Date: May 10, 2022 
PROCLAMATION 
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION 
WHEREAS, every May, we celebrate the history, contributions, and achievements of Asian
Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) across our
nation and at the Port of Seattle; and 
WHEREAS, the annual Asian and Pacific American Heritage Week was first introduced by
Congressmen Norm Mineta and Frank Horton in 1977, and transformed over the
following decades to a month-long celebration known as APA Heritage Month,
which was officially designated in 1990 with the passing of Public Law 101-283; 
and 
WHEREAS, despite  discrimination such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the
Immigration Act of 1924, and exclusionary laws and policies that prevented
access to naturalization, education, jobs, housing, and public services, each
successive generation of AANHPI's helped build our great nation's infrastructure
and economy, and defended our democracy in times of crisis. AANHPI have laid
railroad tracks, tilled fields, started businesses, cared for our infirm, and served
honorably in the military to protect our freedom; and 
WHEREAS, we celebrate the achievement of Vice President Kamala Harris, the first person
of South Asian descent to hold the second highest office in the nation, and who
is blazing a trail for AANHPI communities, and women in general, and that
AANHPI are part of the American fabric and higher aspirations are achievable;
and 
WHEREAS, we also celebrate the achievements of our Port of Seattle Commissioners Sam
Cho and Toshiko Grace Hasegawa, who are of Asian ancestry, paving the way
for future AANHPI leaders; and 
WHEREAS, despite the many achievements, disparities still exist when Asian, Native
Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities are disaggregated on a racial and
ethnic basis, and we must strive to disaggregate information in order to identify
these disparities and work to close the equity gaps that continue to exist among
AANHPI communities; and 

WHEREAS, we recognize the valuable contributions and many sacrifices our diverse
AANHPI community members have made to our nation and to the Port of Seattle,

as we remain cognizant of the continued struggles faced by our AANHPI
communities, such as an immigration system in need of comprehensive reform
and systemic barriers to economic justice, health equity, educational attainment,
personal safety, and "glass ceilings" in the workplace; and 
WHEREAS, AANHPI communities have long histories in the Pacific Northwest and together
make up the largest non-white ethnic group in King County, refuting the
perception that they are "perpetual foreigners;" and 
WHEREAS, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in anti-Asian
sentiment and violent acts towards people of Asian descent, including elders.
March 16 marked the one-year anniversary of the 2021 Atlanta Spa shooting
where six Asian American women  two of Chinese descent and four of Korean
descent  were targeted because of their ethnicity; and
WHEREAS, the Covid-19 pandemic disparately impacted Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander
and COFA Islander communities, who experienced significantly higher incidence
of contraction, hospitalization and death, and experienced significant workplace
discrimination; and
WHEREAS, the recognition of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month is an important and meaningful step in honoring the history and
contributions of AANHPI people and Port employees. 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby commemorates May as
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; acknowledges the
contributions of the "Home of Asian and Pacific Islander" (HAPI), Port of Seattle employee
resource group; and commits to demonstrating an inclusive and welcoming environment for
AANHPI people and promoting racial equity. 
Proclaimed by the Port of Seattle Commission this ___ day of __________, 2022.

Port of Seattle Commission 



Port of Seattle Commission

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