Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is nationally observed to recognize the contributions made to America by people of Asian and Pacific heritage. It is celebrated in May to acknowledge the first Japanese immigrants to the United States who arrived May 7, 1843. On May 7, 1990, Asian Pacific American leaders around the country gathered at the White house to witness the signing of a proclamation by President George Bush, declaring May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
| Mr. Maeda, a 6th dan, degree, black belt, will perform a demonstration of Kendo on the lawn near the Weinberg Auditorium on May 29 at 2:00. Kendo is one of the oldest and most respected martial arts (budo) of Japan and traces its origins to the techniques and methods used by the samurai to gain mastery of the sword (katana), and ultimately of themselves. Mr. Maeda has been studying Kendo since he was in jr. high school. He teaches at the Japanese school in Sweetwater. He will can bring some flyers he uses at demonstrations and will give a short talk about it before the demo. | ||
 | The featured speaker for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month will be Dr. Daniel Chee Tsui, a professor at Princeton University, who was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with colleagues, Horst Stormer and Robert Laughlin for their discovery and explanation of the fractional quantum Hall effect. Dr. Tsui will present an ORNL Distinguished Lecture at 2:00 in Weinberg Auditorium on Thursday, May 30. A reception will follow the lecture. |  |
More Information about Asian Pacific Americans
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 2, 2002
Our Nation's rich cultural diversity reflects our Constitution's core vision of freedom and justice for all. Throughout our history, Asian/Pacific Americans have made great contributions to America's heritage and prosperity. During this month, we proudly celebrate Asian/Pacific Americans, one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States, for their remarkable role in our Nation's development.
Through the years, Asian immigrants and Pacific Islanders have enriched the American way of life. Nobel Prize winner Dr. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar's groundbreaking theories on the evolution of stars helped lay the foundation for modern astrophysics. Actress Anna May Wong was one of the first Asian Americans to achieve great fame in American film. And the men of the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed primarily of Asian/Pacific Americans, valiantly served our Nation during World War II. These units are remembered as some of the most highly decorated in U.S. military history.
During the observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, we celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among the more than 30 ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific found here in the United States. We also recognize millions of Asian/Pacific Americans whose love of family, hard work, and community has helped unite us as a people and sustain us as a Nation.
To honor the achievements of Asian/Pacific Americans, the Congress, by Public Law 102-450, as amended, has designated the month of May each year as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 2002 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. I call upon our citizens to learn more about the history of Asian/Pacific Americans and how they have contributed so much to our national heritage and culture.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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