Hirono, Meng Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), led their colleagues in introducing a resolution marking May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. This resolution celebrates the many contributions AANHPI communities have made to the nation. As the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans continue to cut initiatives designed to support minorities in the name of "combatting discrimination," this resolution emphasizes the importance of celebrating diversity.

"Every May, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander communities come together to remember the challenges we have overcome and our many contributions that have shaped our country. Despite the Trump regime's relentless attacks on the AANHPI community, they cannot erase the truth. Our communities have been part of our country's story since its founding, fighting for the same fundamental promises of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," said Senator Hirono. "This resolution celebrates the persevering spirit of our communities and reminds us all to continue fighting for a more inclusive future."

"May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to honor our communities' immeasurable contributions to our nation's history, culture, and prosperity," said Representative Grace Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. "Whether your family passed through Ellis Island, immigrated to work on the sugarcane plantations of Hawai?i or fled war-torn areas as refugees, our stories are part of the American story and deserve to be told for generations to come. I am proud to co-lead this resolution with Senator Hirono to ensure our communities' achievements are formally recognized in the halls of Congress, especially as we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States this year."

The resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortes Masto (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Grace Meng (D-NY).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono hosted a press conference demanding federal funding be restored to Minority Serving Institutions, including Asian American Native American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) and Alaska Native Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs). Last year, she also introduced the Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act, bicameral legislation to promote the teaching of Asian American, AANHPI history in schools across the country. Since 2023, Senator Hirono has introduced a resolution marking May 10, as AANHPI Mental Health Day. In 2022, Senator Hirono's legislation establishing a commission to study the creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture was signed into law by President Biden. To address the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and violence during the heart of the pandemic, Senator Hirono introduced the COVID-19 Hates Crimes Act which was signed into law by President Biden on May 20, 2021.

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