Congress chose this month to mark the immigration of the first Japanese people to this country, on May 7, 1843 and to acknowledge the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 because Chinese immigrants made up the majority of the workers who laid the track.
The resolution, co-sponsored by School Board Members Mónica García and Mónica Ratliff, also honors the more than 25,000 students of Asian Pacific heritage who attend the Los Angeles public schools. L.A. Unified is the most diverse district in America. In addition, it directs Superintendent Michelle King to work with all schools to recognize and celebrate Asian Pacific heritage through culturally relevant activities, and through in-depth discussions of historically relevant topics.
Board Member García said, “Diversity strengthens our schools and our district and we celebrate the contributions of our community members of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.” She added, “I am proud that our students have daily reminders in the names of our schools like Colonel Young-Oak Kim, Olympic Gold Medalist Dr. Sammy Lee, and Charles H. Kim.”
Board Member Ratliff said, “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to cosponsor this important resolution with Board Member García.”
The resolution also saluted Asian Pacific Islanders as “an integral part of the mosaic that defines America in the 21st Century.”
Contact: Shannon Haber (213) 241-6766