Governor Deval Patrick and the Governor’s Asian American Commission/Advisory Council will be in Lowell this coming Thursday to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The event is on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 5:15 pm at the Sunnyda Restaurant at 454 Chelmsford Street in Lowell. Everyone is invited to join the Governor in recognizing and honoring the contributions of Asian Americans at this free event.

(The Sunnyda Restaurant is next to the Wendy’s on Chelmsford Street near the intersection with Plain Street. Plenty of parking is available in the rear which was the parking lot for the former Registry of Motor Vehicles before it moved downtown).

This past Friday night at the Khmer Post USA gala celebration I had the opportunity to speak briefly about the history and significance of of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The remarks I gave that night follow:

Congratulations to Khmer Post USA for organizing this wonderful event in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It was in 1977 that the United States Congress designated the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for the purpose of celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout American history.

It is particularly appropriate that we hold this celebration in Lowell which is a city of immigrants and a city that recognizes the strength and the benefits of a diverse population. I am personally grateful that so many Asian American people have chosen to make Lowell their home. From them I have learned that there is not one single Asian culture; instead there are many distinct cultures, each with its own vibrant history and unique perspective. This knowledge has made me a better person and it has made Lowell a better place.