"Salute to Liberty" - Celebrates 2003 National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May by Ricco Villanueva Siasoco Origins of APA Heritage Month National celebration established in 1977 May is Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month - a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Much like Black History and Women's History celebrations, APA Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill put forward by legislators. Congressional Bills Establish Celebration In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. APA Becomes Month-long Celebration In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President George H. W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843. School, Government, Community Celebrations Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students. ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH ANNUAL THEMES (from 1981 to 2003) 1981 BRIDGING THE GAP 1982 UNITED ARE WE 1983 WORKING TOGETHER 1984 STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY 1985 FULFILLING AMERICA'S PROMISES 1986 ASCENDING FORCE OF THE 80'S 1987 STRIVING FOR EQUITY 1988 ASIANS ACHIEVE 1989 PARTICIPATION, PARTNERSHIP, PROGRESS 1990 COMMITMENT, CONTRIBUTION, COMMUNITY 1991 DEDICATION, DIGNITY, DISTINCTION 1992 EFFECTIVENESS, EMPOWERMENT, ENHANCEMENT 1993 HARMONY IN DIVERSITY 1994 DEDICATION, DIGNITY, DISTINCTION 1995 EQUALITY, EMPOWERMENT, EXCELLENCE 1996 ONE VISION, ONE MISSION, ONE VOICE 1997 ONE VISION, ONE MISSION, ONE VOICE 1998 PURSUING PROGRESS 1999 CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY 2000 VOICES FOR THE MILLENNIUM 2001 EMERGING TOGETHER 2002 UNITY IN FREEDOM 2003 SALUTE To LIBERTY