TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US lawmakers on May 13 introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing Taiwanese American Heritage Week, honoring the contributions of Taiwanese Americans, and reaffirming Taiwan as a key US partner.
US Congressional Taiwan Caucus Co-chair Ami Bera joined Republican lawmakers Michael McCaul and Young Kim, as well as Democratic Representative Greg Stanton, in introducing the bipartisan resolution, per CNA. The measure recognized May 10–16 as Taiwanese American Heritage Week.
The resolution recognized the contributions of more than 700,000 Taiwanese Americans across the US. It also affirmed Taiwan as a key US partner in trade, technology, advanced manufacturing, and the global semiconductor industry, while recognizing the Taiwan Relations Act as the cornerstone of US-Taiwan relations.
Additional co-sponsors included Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ro Khanna, Brad Sherman, James Walkinshaw, and Dave Min.
Bera said he was honored to help lead the bipartisan effort recognizing Taiwanese American Heritage Week, CNA reported. He added that Taiwanese Americans play an indispensable role in strengthening the close and enduring partnership between the US and Taiwan.
Formosan Association for Public Affairs President Kao Su-mei (林素梅), whose organization helped advance the resolution, told CNA that Taiwanese Americans have long faced the threat of identity erasure and that their cultural traditions are often overlooked. She said the fight for recognition as Taiwanese and Taiwanese American remains deeply real and personal for the community.
Beyond Capitol Hill, FAPA mobilized 44 chapters across the US to help secure proclamations recognizing Taiwanese American Heritage Week from more than 100 state officials, according to CNA. These included governors from 27 states, including Alabama, Arizona, and Connecticut, setting a new record.
Taiwanese American Heritage Week was first established in 1999 and is celebrated annually during the week following Mother’s Day in May. The observance recognizes Taiwanese American history, culture, and contributions to US society.
