SPRINGFIELD -- State Senator Ram Villivalam joined hundreds of Illinois residents with Asian Americans Advancing Justice and the PAAVE Coalition in Springfield, on Wednesday, for a rally highlighting Asian American Heritage Month.
“As we celebrate the start of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, it is imperative that we continue to remind our community to uplift Asian American Pacific Islander voices, culture and history,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago).
The month of May first commemorated Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage in 1979 and has been celebrated as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month since 1990. May was chosen to commemorate the first arrival of Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869 through the incredible effort of mostly Chinese immigrant workers.
Illinois is home to more than 870,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to the most recent American Community Survey data available from the U.S. Census Bureau. The five largest communities represented are Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, Chinese Americans, Korean Americans, and Pakistani Americans.
Since 2019, Villivalam has worked to advance measures that ensure Asian Americans can live and thrive in their communities. Notably, he has passed the TEAACH Act, legislation that ensures youth across Illinois learn about the history, contributions and culture of Asian Americans in school.
“I am proud to be a continued supporter and advocate of our Asian American Pacific Islander community as we work to ensure that our neighbors have access to the vital services and support they need,” said Villivalam.
To learn more about Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity resource page here.
