For Immediate Release
Washington DC – June 7, 2024
U.S. ELECTED OFFICIALS COMMEMORATE TAIWANESE AMERICAN HERITAGE WEEK 2024
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first proclamation of Taiwanese American Heritage Week (TAHW) signed by President Bill Clinton in 1999. Since then, Taiwanese Americans have annually joined hands to reach out to the general American public to share their heritage.
As we wrap up this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and TAHW celebrations, we recount the successes from Taiwanese American organizations seeking official proclamations from elected officials across the nation. This year, 23 U.S. elected officials issued proclamations or letters honoring the contributions that Taiwanese Americans have made to the diversity and prosperity of American society over the past decades, and their contributions to the promotion of democracy and security of their country of birth – Taiwan.
In her TAHW proclamation, Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey wrote: “Taiwanese Americans are proud of their roots and of their vital role in the growth of our nation.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek wrote: “There are more than 500,000 Taiwanese Americans in the United States, with a significant Taiwanese American population in Oregon.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wrote: “The Taiwanese [American] community should be proud of their accomplishments that have helped make our state a welcoming place for people of all nationalities.”
County Executive of Dutchess County, NY, Sue Serino wrote: “The year 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the enactment into law of the 1979 ‘Taiwan Relations Act,’ which along with the 1982 ‘Six Assurances’ forms the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations.”
Mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Elizabeth Bowser wrote: “During Taiwanese Heritage Week, District residents celebrate the contribution of Taiwanese Americans and the spirit of community that binds us together as one nation.”
Mayor of the Village of Westmont, IL, Ronald J. Gunter wrote: “Taiwanese Americans have succeeded as successful and notable artists, Nobel Laureate scientists, researchers, scholars, professors, human rights activists, and business leaders.”
TAHW Proclamations From:
- Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey
- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
- County Executive of Dutchess County, NY, Sue Serino
- Mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Elizabeth Bowser
- Mayor of the Village of Westmont, IL, Ronald J. Gunter
- Mayor of City of Tigard, OR, Heidi Lueb
- Mayor of City of Vancouver, WA, Anne McEnerny-Ogle
- Mayor of City of Camas, WA, Steve Hogan
- Mayor of Rockville, MD, Monique Ashton
- Mayor of City of Malden, MA, Gary Christenson
- Mayor of Portland, OR, Ted Wheeler
- Mayor of City of Cincinnati, OH, Aftab Pureval
- Mayor of City of Westerville, OH, Kenneth L. Wright
- County Executive of County of Allegheny, PA, Sara Innamorato
- Mayor of Austin City, TX, Kirk Watson
- Mayor of Syracuse, NY, Ben Walsh
- Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA, Ed Gainey
- Mayor of Somerville, MA, Katjana Ballantyne
- Chairman of Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, AZ, Jack Sellers
TAHW Congratulations Letters From:
- U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
- U.S. Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR)
FAPA President Su-Mei Kao adds: “Taiwanese Americans are proud to be citizens of this great nation of ours, which has a history of and believes in values such as democracy and independence through self-determination. Taiwanese Americans having their own Heritage Week to celebrate annually 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, sovereign, independent and democratic country that desires to stay that way and that needs to be accepted by the international community as a full and equal member.”
