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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING MAY AS ASIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND RECOGNIZING THE PROGRESS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN AMERICAN JUDGES IN ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, the month of May is recognized as Asian American Heritage Month; and
WHEREAS, May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States, a young fisherman named Manjiro, who arrived May 7, 1843, as well as to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, built largely by Chinese immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans come from over 40 countries and across the Asian diaspora speaking 2,300 languages and dialects, and a myriad of religions; and
WHEREAS, there were approximately 462,000 Asian Americans in Cook County representing 7.8% of the County’s population in 2020. Asian Americans experienced a 23.5% population increase between 2010 and 2020, the highest minority population growth rate in Cook County and Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Asian Americans have faced exclusion, discrimination and racism over centuries in this country from exclusionary immigration and citizenship policies and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, to targeted racial violence including the recent rise in anti-Asian hate; and
WHEREAS, the American story would not be possible without the strength, contributions, and legacies of Asian Americans who have helped build this country in each successive generation from mining coal and gold, farming fields, starting businesses, caring for our loved ones and honorably serving our Nation in uniform; and
WHEREAS, Asian American representation in elected and appointed office, including the judiciary, has grown exponentially in Illinois over the last decade, bringing greater participation, inclusion and visibility for Asian Americans in government and policy making decisions; and
WHEREAS, we honor the trailblazing Asian American judges, including Illinois’ first Asian American Judge Kenneth Moy elected in 1996 and Cook County’s first Asian American Judge Sandra Otaka elected in 2000, who have broken systemic barriers to ensure that the halls of justice reflect the diversity of the public they serve; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the historic appointment of Justice Sanjay Tailor to the Illinois Supreme Court earlier this year, making him the first Asian American to serve on the state’s highest court; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Cook County Board of Commissioners,
do hereby recognize May as Asian American Heritage Month and recommit to equity, inclusion and justice for Asian Americans across Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies be given to Justice Sanjay Tailor and the Asian American Judges Association.
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