U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo marked the end Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a letter of appreciation for the contributions of those communities, the Department of Commerce reports.
AANHPI communities are among the fastest-growing racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., Sec. Raimondo noted in the May 26 statement, and comprise several languages and ethnicities that enrich and strengthen the "history, culture, and the economy of the United States."
"Here at Commerce, we have nearly 6,000 AANHPI employees," Sec. Raimondo wrote in the statement. "I want to thank each one of you for your commitment to serving our nation and for your continued advocacy for AANHPI businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs."
Sec. Raimondo reiterated the Biden-Harris administration's commitment "to supporting and investing in AANHPI communities while also combating the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes," the report states, and that the DOC focus is on equity for the betterment of all Americans.
"I believe that America’s road to prosperity runs through our minority business community and every person should have an equal opportunity to thrive," Sec. Raimondo wrote in the statement. "Together, we must support and uplift the AANHPI community and secure an equitable and prosperous future for them and all Americans."
