2023-692023-69
Resolution Declaring May 2023 To Be Asian American And Pacific Islander Heritage
Month In The Town Of Wappinger
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on May 8,
2023.
The meeting was called to order by Richard Thurston, Town Supervisor, and upon roll
being called, the following was recorded:
✓ Vote Record - Resolution RES -2023-69
Yes/Aye
No/Nay
Abstain
Absent
2 Adopted
❑ Adopted as Amended
Richard Thurston
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
❑ Defeated
William H. Beale
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
❑ Tabled
Angela Bettina
Seconder
Q
El
El
ElElWithdrawn
Christopher Phillips
Voter
Q
❑
❑
❑
Al Casella
Mover
Q
❑
❑
❑
The following Resolution was introduced by Casella and seconded by Councilwoman
Bettina.
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage in the United States was celebrated beginning in 1978
and was made into a month-long event in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) seeks to honor and recognize the
contributions of residents from countries located throughout Asia, and the India sub -continent; and
WHEREAS, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New
Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau,
Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian
Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and
Easter Island); and
WHEREAS, during AAPI, we acknowledge Asians and Pacific Islanders who have lived and worked in Wappinger
and the greater Wappinger area for many decades, contributing to our local economy, culture, education, politics,
arts, literature, science and technological developments; and
WHEREAS, we cannot deny the unique challenges and complicated, sometimes violent histories of peoples,
nations, former empires and colonies across Asia and the Pacific, but we can commit to working together to
strengthen our community for the future; and
WHEREAS, racially motivated discrimination and harassment is at a high level with recent national and New York
City spikes in hate crimes against the AAPI community, especially targeting its Muslim, South and East Asian
members; and
WHEREAS, the Wappingers Central School District, as of October 2022 in grades PreK thru Grade 12, had 423
enrolled students of Asian/Pacific Islander descent, 421 students of Asian descent, and 2 students of Native
Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander descent; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger Board and the Wappingers Central School District are committed to and
advocate for equal educational, professional, and social opportunities for AAPI students; and
WHEREAS, during AAPI, in working with the Wappingers Central School District, we also focus on the crucial
role of education in the history of AAPI Americans; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Board of the Town of Wappinger, do hereby proclaim the
month of May 2023 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I Richard L. Thurston, Supervisor, have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of May
2023.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
RESULT:
ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:
Al Casella, Councilman
SECONDER:
Angela Bettina, Councilwoman
AYES:
Thurston, Beale, Bettina, Phillips, Casella
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
5/8/2023
The Resolution is hereby ,,duly declared Adopted.
P. PAOLONI, TOWN CLERK