Every year, the month of May is designated as Asian Pacific Heritage Month — a month of national celebration and commemoration of the innumerable contributions that Asians and Pacific Islanders have made in American life.

Since 1999, when President Clinton dedicated the week after Mother’s Day as Taiwanese American Heritage week (TAHW), Taiwanese Americans have annually joined hands to reach out to the general American public to share their heritage.

This year, from Mother’s Day May 10 until Sunday May 17, 2015 Taiwanese Americans all over the Union are celebrating  TAHW.

The celebration did not go unnoticed by elected officials from Oregon to Florida and in between where elected officials dedicated the week after Mother’s Day as TAHW.

Among these, Oregon Governor Kate Brown proclaimed (view the document) the week after Mother’s Day as TAHW stating: “WHEREAS Taiwanese Americans have made enormous contributions to the diversity and prosperity of American society, consistently contributing to the promotion of democracy and security of their homeland.” Portland Proclamation 2015 TAHW; Beaverton Proclamation 2015 TAHW

Gainesville, FL mayor Edward B. Braddy took similar action stating: “WHEREAS Taiwan is a sovereign, independent country but continues to be illegitimately claimed by the People’s Republic of China as a renegade province.” view the document

In his TAHW proclamation, San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer added: “WHEREAS 2015 marks the 36th anniversary of the enactment into law of the “Taiwan Relations Act,” the cornerstone of U.S. Taiwan relations.” San Diego Proclamation 2015 TAHW

FAPA President Mark Kao states:  “Taiwanese Americans are proud to be citizens of this country which believes in democracy and equality.  Taiwanese Americans having and celebrating their own Heritage Week reinforces the understanding amongst the American public that Taiwan is not part of China, and that we need to recognize the reality that Taiwan is a free and democratic nation-state that needs to be accepted by the international community as a full and equal member.”

Photo Credit: Chen Liang Dao 陳良道 (Flickr)

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FAPA Officially Granted Ownership Of ‘Taiwanese American Heritage Week’ Trademark

This Sunday – Mother’s Day – will also kick off the annual week-long celebration of Taiwanese American Heritage Week (TAHW).

The TAHW was initiated by FAPA in 1999, and for the past 13 years FAPA  chapters — in cooperation with other like-minded Taiwanese-American  organizations — have actively organized local celebrations from Oregon to Miami and from San Diego to Boston.

According to FAPA President Mark Kao: “This annual observance of TAHW offers us Taiwanese Americans an excellent opportunity to share our unique and proud heritage with the American public in general, and to express our gratitude to our adopted country.”

In 2000, then President Bill Clinton congratulated Taiwanese Americans with their annual celebration stating: “The people and culture of Taiwan have made invaluable contributions to every sector of our society… In celebrating your unique heritage, you provide our country with a needed source of strength and inspiration, helping to  forge a brighter future for us all.”

FAPA President Mark Kao states: “To make sure that the TAHW remains an annual celebration solely for Taiwanese Americans, FAPA decided last year to trademark the ‘Taiwanese American Heritage Week’ name.”

On April 13, 2012, the US Patent and Trademark Office officially granted FAPA the TAHW trademark.

FAPA President Mark Kao continues: “Taiwanese Americans having their own Heritage Week will reinforce the understanding amongst the American public that Taiwan is not a province of China, but a free, democratic and independent nation-state, separate from China.”

FAPA President Mark Kao concludes: “In the spirit of Taiwanese determination and American volunteerism, we urge all to explore the significance of both Taiwan and being Taiwanese during this important week.”

台灣人公共事務會 獲「台美人傳統週」商標權利

本週日，適逢母親節，也是一年一度台美人傳統週 （Taiwanese American Heritage Week）慶祝活動的開始。

台美人傳統週於1999年由台灣人公共事務會所發起。過去十三年以來，台灣人公 共事務會各分會與其他有志一同的台美人團體，積極地籌辦當地的慶祝活動，從奧勒岡到邁阿密，聖地牙哥至波士頓。

據台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮表示：「這個一年一度的台美 人傳統週慶典，提供給身為台美人的我們一個絕佳的機會，與美國大眾分享我們獨特及使我們引以為傲的傳統，並對接納我們的美國表示感謝。」

柯林頓總統在2000年恭祝台美人一年一度的慶祝活動時表示：「台灣的人民及文 化對我們的社會多方地帶來了無價的貢獻⋯⋯當你們慶祝你們獨特的傳統時，你們也提供了我們國家一個亟需的力量並成為激勵人心的來源，協助我們大家一起共創美好將來。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮指出：「為確保一年一度的台美人傳統週為僅屬台美人的慶典，台灣人公共事務會於去年決定將『台美人傳統週』註冊商標。」

2012年4月13日，美國專利商標局正式核發台灣人公共事務會「台美人傳統週」 的商標。

高會長並補充：「台美人擁有自己的傳統週，將會加強美國大眾對台灣不是中國 的一省，而是一個自由、民主及獨立的國家， 與中國大不相同的認知。」

他最後表示：「本著台灣人的意志及美國人的志工主義，我們敦促所有人一齊在這重要的一週當中，來體認台灣及身為台灣人的重要性。」

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Taiwanese American Representative David Wu and Congressional Taiwan Caucus Chairs Call For “Frequent, Highest Level Exchanges”

In a House resolution (H.Res.228), marking the fourth annual Taiwanese American Heritage Week, Rep. David Wu (D-OR) and the co-chairs of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus Reps. Robert Wexler, Steve Chabot, Sherrod Brown and Dana Rohrabacher “recognize the importance of Taiwanese Americans to the United States.” 

The resolution notes that “Taiwanese Americans have made distinct and important contributions to the United States and the rest of the world in many fields, as evidenced most recently during the war with Iraq where Taiwanese Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces.” 

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. 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. 

Rep. David Wu writes: “As the only Member of Congress born in Taiwan, I join the Taiwanese American community in celebrating the heritage week. At this time, it is important to recognize the community’s successes, but also work to promote mutual values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.” 

Rep. Robert Wexler adds: “It is an honor and privilege to join the Taiwanese American community in celebrating Taiwanese American Heritage Week. I believe that it is incredibly important to recognize and salute the Taiwanese American community for their numerous accomplishments and for their deep commitment to the United States and its ideals of democracy, freedom and justice.” 

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. 

In a reference to the hurdles that hi-level visitors from Taiwan (including President Chen Shui-bian) encounter when they seek to visit the United States, the introducers of the resolution state that “frequent exchanges, including exchanges at the highest level of government, contribute to broadening the friendship and cooperation between the United States and Taiwan.” 

“Taiwanese Americans having their own Heritage Week will reinforce the understanding amongst the American public that Taiwan is not a province of China, but that Taiwan and China are two separate countries!” states FAPA President Ming-chi Wu.

“The call of the resolution to let Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian visit the U.S. frequently is equally important,” Ming-chi Wu adds. “There is real support amongst Members of Congress to let Taiwan’s democratically elected President visit the United States – including the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C. This resolution is a manifestation of that ever-growing momentum.” 

吳振偉議員及台灣連線共同引進決議案，讚揚台美人貢獻並強調台美兩國高層交流的重要性

首位出生於台灣的美國眾議員吳振偉(David Wu, D-OR)與去年甫成立的美國國會台灣連線四位共同主席，布朗(Sherrod Brown, D-OH)，羅拉巴克(Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA)，魏克斯勒(Robert Wexler, D-FL)，與夏波(Steve Chabot, R-OH)在今日共同引進一決議案，祝賀即將在五月中旬於全美各地展開的台美人傳統週節慶。決議案中認可台美人對美國的重要性與讚揚台美人對其僑居地美國的貢獻。

今年的決議案條文與過去往年不太相同的是增加了與近日時事相關的條文。決議案中指出台美人在各行各業以及世界各個角落都創造出卓越的貢獻，其中尤以最近的美伊戰爭中，台美人與其他美國士兵並肩作戰，投身伊拉克戰場，為美國效命，為最有力的例證。

每年與傳統週相關的決議案定會提及台美兩國高層官員互訪一事，今年也不例外。決議案表示：「美國與台灣之間的頻繁交流，其中包括兩國政府之間高層官員的互訪，有助於加深兩國情誼與合作。」

魏克斯勒議員表示：「今日，台美人在美國各行各業扮演著非常傑出的角色。我特別感謝台美人對於促進台灣與美國關係所做的努力與所投入的心力。」吳掁偉議員也表示：「身為唯一出生於台灣的美國聯邦眾議員，使台美人的貢獻受到重視，並一同促進台美雙方共同認定的價值，如民主，法治與人權是相當重要的。」

台灣人公共事務會會長吳明基表示：「透過台美人傳統週這個節慶的存在，一般美國民眾將更加瞭解台灣與中國究竟是兩個不同的國家，而台灣的名字很簡單的就是台灣。」吳明基接著表示：「台美人對於身為美國，這個崇尚自由與平等國家的一員感到驕傲，而我們也期望看到美國決策部門能給予台灣更平等的待遇。今天引進此決議案的吳振偉議員即曾一再表示希望看到台灣的總統踏上華府的土地，既然今天美國可以讓中國新任領導人胡錦濤訪問華府，為什麼經由民主程序選出來，代表台灣人的總統陳水扁不能？」

Photo Credit: Congress (Wikimedia Commons)

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Taiwanese American Heritage Week 2002

Week-long celebrations of the fourth annual Taiwanese American Heritage Week (TAHW) will take place across the United States during Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month starting from the Mother’s Day weekend.

On May 1st this year, President Bush stated in his proclamation of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Our Nation’s rich cultural diversity reflects our Constitution’s core vision of freedom and justice for all. Throughout our history, Asian/Pacific Americans have made great contributions to American’s heritage and prosperity. “Through the years, Asian immigrants and Pacific Islanders have enriched the American way of life.” Furthermore, President Bush proclaimed, “I call upon our citizens to learn more about the history of Asian/Pacific American and how they have contributed so much to our national heritage and culture.”

This special week honors the outstanding contributions of over 500,000 Taiwanese Americans to our nation’s social, economic and political life, as well as provides an opportunity for all to learn more about Taiwanese heritage and ancestry. The celebration is also a vehicle to promote the image and welfare of Taiwanese Americans and to enhance mutual understanding and stronger unity among different generation of Taiwanese Americans.

Year 2002 is special as Americans from all backgrounds express appreciation for the support of their fellow citizens in the Taiwanese American community in the aftermath of the September 11 tragedy. Taiwanese Americans responded overwhelmingly to the relief effort, another example of the community’s steadfast commitment to democracy and human rights. As Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, noted in his May 7^th letter to TAHW celebration participants, “This is yet another example of the Taiwanese community’s support for the preservation of the institutions of this democracy, as well as its values, and for the maintenance of the rule of law under the threat of international terrorism.”

Finally, 2002 is a significant year as Rep. David Wu (D-OR), the first Taiwanese American elected to the Congress, introduced H. Res. 411, “Supporting the goals of Taiwanese American Heritage Week,” which recognizes the ‘profound importance of Taiwanese Americans to the United States’ and declares that “the warm relations and bilateral exchange between the people of the United States and Taiwan should grow” on May 2^nd.

“We are proud at FAPA to have initiated the annual TAHW, and we are thrilled to see the celebration grow tremendously at the national and local level every year,” stated FAPA President, Ming-chi Wu, Ph.D.

美國布希總統正式宣佈亞裔傳統月，台美人傳統週在全美各地熱烈慶祝 

日前，正當布希總統正式送交台灣人公共事務會(FAPA)一份正式的宣告文件，關於他對亞裔美人傳統月(Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month)的贊揚時，幾乎同時，在全美各地的台灣同鄉紛紛展開約達一周的台美人傳統週(Taiwanese American Heritage Week, TAHW) 活動。

三年前，由台灣人公共事務會大力推動的台美人傳統週活動，特別選在五月的第三個星期，以母親節為首的一週，來表彰台美人對美國社會的特殊貢獻，和對母國─台灣的思念。白宮在日前正式送交台灣人公共事務會一份宣告書中，布希總統特別指出：我們國家豐富多樣的文化所反映的，正是憲法中的最精髓的部份─民主和正義。細讀美國的歷史中，不難發現，亞裔移民對美國的傳統及繁榮有著極大的貢獻。尤其這幾年來，太平洋島國的移民著實豐富的我們的生活。因此，我要求我們的國民要多從亞裔美人中學習他們的歷史文化和如何貢獻給美國國家。

本週，特別表彰超過五十萬名的台美人對美國在社會、經濟、政治上的傑出貢獻，並藉此機會多瞭解台灣的歷史與先民的種種。台美人傳統週的節慶也提供了最好的管道，讓不同世代的台美人對彼此有更密切的瞭解和團結。

在美國遭遇911恐怖攻擊之後，有多元背景的美國體會和感激台美人的支持，絕大多數台美人社團都義不容辭投入救援的工作。正如眾議院外交委員會主席海德議員在五月七日的信中言道，對台美人傳統週節慶的參與，也就是對台灣社會民主表現的支持，它所呈現的意義與價值，和我們對抗恐怖主義的威脅是一樣的。

身為第一位具有台灣背景的吳振偉眾議員，五月二日在眾議院提出第411號法案強調：美國支持台美人傳統週代表著他正式承認台美人的重要性，台灣和美國雙方應該發展密切的關係和對等的交流。

Photo Credit: White House photo by Eric Draper

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