In recognition of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPl) Heritage Month, Asemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) honored outstanding business and community leaders at a ceremony held at the Rosemead Community Center, on May 21.

The event was well attended by local elected officials, community leaders, friends and families of honorees.

“The rich tradition and heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islanders makes this community very unique and brings cultural diversity to the greatness of the United States and especially to our great state of California,” said Assemblymember Eng. “I am very proud to recognize these outstanding individuals who have contributed so much in talent and service to the community, especially to constituents of my district.”

May is federally designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – a celebration of AAPIs in the United States. Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978 recognizing the first week of May as Asian American Heritage Week.

This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. In 1990, Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month long celebration and in May 1992, the month of May was permanently designated as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.’”

Assemblyman Eng’s “2010 API Business Community Award” honorees include Arthur Shu, President of National Investment Group Realty; Ben Hong, owner of New Capital Seafood; Charles Noh, Vice President and General Manager of San Gabriel Hilton; Daniel Kim, Interim Executive Director of Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce; Derek Ma, CEO of Gourmet Island Restaurant; Dr. Herbert Ho, owner of Unicare Adult Day Health Care Center; Hieu T. Tran, CEO of Shun Fat Supermarket; Hon. Wilhans Ili, Councilman of City of South E1 Monte; Kevin Yamauchi Vice President of Sales/Marketing of Tri-star Vending Company; Ling Chow, President of West San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors; May & William Wu, owners of WS Adult Day Health Care Center; Pete Chinn, President of Pete Chinn Accountancy Corporation; Sandy Ho, Executive Vice President and Regional Manager of Preferred Bank; and Wendy Doo, Esq., Partner of Law Offices of Doo & Chong.

Assemblymember Eng represents the 49th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Alhambra, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, and South El Monte.