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Every year, the month of May is designated as a
month of national celebration and commemoration of the innumerable
contributions that Asians and Pacific Islanders have made in
American life. Also every year, the week starting with Mothers' Day
is designated as Taiwanese-American Heritage Week.
This year, Taiwanese Americans will celebrate Taiwanese-American
Heritage Week nationwide from May 11 through May 18.
The Heritage Week is dedicated to recognizing and appreciating
aspects of Taiwanese-American Heritage in the United States as well
as to paying tribute to those who have enriched every aspect of the
Taiwanese cultural experience with their talents, intellect, and
activism.
During the past years, a growing number of Members of Congress
have issued statements congratulating Taiwanese Americans with the
TAHW celebration.
A the bottom of this page, you will find a lettre for you to send
to your Senator and/or Representative ask him/her to issue a
statement along the lines of the draft.
Please contact FAPA HQ at 202-547-3686 if you need assistance or
additional information.
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Dear Member of Congress:
As the Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month nears this
May, I am writing to inform you of the upcoming Taiwanese American
Heritage Week observance, which will be held from May 11th - May
18th. The celebration of Taiwanese American Heritage Week has been
well received since the official designation by former President
Bill Clinton in 1999, and I look forward to another opportunity to
observe and celebrate my Taiwanese heritage. I would like to ask you
to support this week by issuing a statement commemorating Taiwanese
American Heritage Week.
With more than 500,000 Taiwanese Americans in the United States,
you may have a significant Taiwanese American population in your
district. In addition to the number of Taiwanese Americans,
Taiwanese Americans also have other unique qualities. According to
the latest statistics:
- 40% of Taiwanese Americans are college graduates
- 8% of Taiwanese American have doctoral degrees
- 71% of Taiwanese Americans own homes
- 48% of Taiwanese Americans, men and women, are professionals or
hold managerial positions
Taiwanese Americans have made enormous contributions to the
diversity and prosperity of American society. Moreover, Taiwanese
Americans have consistently contributed to the promotion of
democracy and security for their motherland
Taiwan. Real security for Taiwan, and the preservation of its
precious democracy, cannot be achieved without continuous help from
our friends in the Congress.
Since the lifting of martial law in 1987, Taiwan has become an
open, democratic society where fundamental freedoms are respected
and the will of the people is observed. The Taiwanese-American
community played an important role in encouraging this profound
transformation.
While Taiwan has established a model democracy, a number of
political challenges still remain. We must work together to ensure
that Taiwan's status and global contributions are properly respected
and appreciated by the international community. This can be
accomplished in part through Taiwanese membership in the World
Health Organization and other appropriate international
organizations. Taiwan's security is also a high priority. Taiwan
will seeks to a role in world affairs.
Taiwan and the United States share a common commitment to the
ideals of democracy, freedom and human rights. The 1979 Taiwan
Relations Act, which forms the official basis for friendship and
cooperation between the United States and Taiwan, continues to
provide a strong foundation for the bond between the people of both
countries. That bond is made stronger each day by the
Taiwanese-American community.
This Heritage Week observance provides us with an opportunity to
learn more about the outstanding contributions men and women from
Taiwan have made to our nation, and to the world. During this
special week, we are able to embrace America's diversity and
celebrate the spirit of community that binds us together as one
nation.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Name, contact information etc... |
