Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May 19, 2004

By Ellen Christie, staff writer

	FACT SHEETS NOW IN SIX ASIAN LANGUAGES Girl Scouts nationwide have rich traditions and come from diverse backgrounds. Learn more about the organization and see girls grow strong in a multicultural family. Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Hmong Japanese Korean Tagalog Vietnamese *All PDF format

A congressional resolution was passed in 1978 to recognize Asian Pacific Heritage for ten days each May. In 1990, Congress designated the entire month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the first immigration of Japanese people to the U.S. in May of 1843, and to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May of 1869, as most workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

This year's theme is "Freedom for All—A Nation We Call Our Own." Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students. Girl Scouts are proud to promote awareness of and appreciation for different cultures. This month we note the historical contributions of Asian and Pacific peoples in the United States and its territories.

Lighting the Way for Tradition

In New York City, Girl Scout troops have been active in Chinatown since the earliest days of Girl Scouting. This month, the Museum of Chinese in the Americas will honor troop 3197 at a dinner which pays tribute to exemplary pioneers and inspiring citizens who have broken barriers in sports, media, and politics and served as positive role models for the Asian American community. In addition to a 10-course banquet, the girls will be treated to performances of song and dance selections from Broadway hits.

The girls of troop 3197 are not only well-known locally, but nationally as well. In 2000, a historic lighting of the top of the Empire State Building in red and gold—the symbolic colors of good luck and prosperity to many Asians—was the result of these girls' efforts to seek a new way to celebrate the Chinese New Year. New Yorkers and tourists alike were able to marvel at the red and gold lighting for the first time in the building's history because of the tenacity and dedication of these inspiring Girl Scouts.

A Community's Cornerstone

Established as early as 1920, Girl Scout troop 3197 has made the True Light Church in Chinatown its home. While they participate in many fun and educational projects, the troop's community service efforts have been their focus. With exemplary mentors like Amy Chen, a manager with Avon, Inc., the girls are encouraged and inspired to make a difference. Chen makes the time for the girls because she sees how much they gain from Girl Scouting. "Troop 3197 is a Chinatown institution, and was my troop as a girl!" Chen says. "Today, as its leader, I continue traditions and also help girls with new challenges. Girl Scouts discuss roles they have in the communities they belong to—ethnic, social, and geographic. We recently created 'A Kid's Guide to Chinatown,' and volunteered at a community garden."

An American Journey

Asian groups such Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino have been migrating to America since the mid-1800s. Southeastern Asian groups such as Vietnamese, Cambodians, Thai, Laos, and Hmong started their migration after the Vietnam War, with many coming to the USA as refugees. Recently, peoples from South Asia such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan comprise many of the newer Asian immigrants. Indians comprise the fastest growing immigrant group.

Today, more than half of our nation's 13 million residents of Asian descent speak an Asian or Pacific island language at home. The most commonly spoken languages are Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Korean. This month, Girl Scouts of the USA is proud to launch our Fact Sheet in six Asian languages.

For more information about Girl Scouting in your area, please visit contact your local Girl Scout council.