The San Mateo County Transit District Board of Directors unanimously recognized May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month at its monthly meeting last week.
The history of officially celebrating the AAPI community in the U.S. started with an act of Congress in 1978. However, back then, only a week was set aside at the beginning of May. It wasn’t until 1990 that the observation was extended to the whole month.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants.
The AAPI community in San Mateo County is large and diverse with many different ethnicities represented and languages spoken. For SamTrans, recent bus survey results show Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up more than a third (36%) of its ridership.
This month’s recognition by the SamTrans board is the latest in a string of resolutions and efforts to fight racism and support diversity, equity and inclusivity. In recent years, the transit district has partnered with the Millbrae Anti-Racist Coalition and three Asian-American artists to launch anti-racism artwork on buses and shelters throughout San Mateo County.