Minutes 05-04-2021 Virtual Business Meeting

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12 Yo Yo Ma, actress Sondra Oh, and comedian Awkwafina to name but a few. UNC is home to many accomplished scholars of Asian descent such as Professor Kihyun "Kelly" Ryoo in the School of Education and Hedi Kim, Director of the UNC Asian American Center, and Associate Professor in the Department of English and Comparative Literature. It is important for the Orange County Board of Commissioners to recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to emphasize the contributions of this community to Orange County's diversity. To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Human Relations Commission will host the following event: A Community Conversation Ally, Advocate, Activist, Accomplice: What's the Difference? Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:00 pm —4:30 pm Commissioner Greene read the proclamation: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial group in the United States, growing four times the rate of the rest of the populations of the Country; and WHEREAS, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, as one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse groups in America, reminds us that although we all have distinct backgrounds and origins, we are bound by a common purpose, by shared values and our shared hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children; and WHEREAS, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has a long and deeply-rooted legacy in the United States from the grueling and perilous working condition of thousands of Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad to Japanese Americans troops fighting to defend our freedom during World War 11; and WHEREAS, we also must remember that this Country carries the stain that while Japanese Americans soldiers fought in World War 11, their families at home were interned in camps by the government simply based on their Japanese origin; and WHEREAS, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community throughout this country's history has faced harassment, senseless violence and discrimination, all of this has grown exponentially over the past year due to negative stereotypes perpetrated about the pandemic, which has led to a sharp rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and hate incidents; and WHEREAS, we honor the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, their rich heritage and the enhancements they bring to this community through their culture and as artist, activist, educators, elected officials, service men and women, business owners, friends and neighbors;