Madison To Mark May As Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

MADISON, NJ — Mayor Conley presented a proclamation during the Borough Council meeting on Monday, designating May 2022 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Madison.

Members of the council encouraged Madison residents to learn more about the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Patrolman Renato C. Capillas Jr., who was born and raised in the Philippines, accepted the proclamation. Capillas graduated from County College of Morris in 2018 and now serves alongside the Madison Police Department after completing training at the Essex County Police Academy.

"It's an honor to be here, I would like to thank you all for doing this, I appreciate being a part of the Madison family and the Madison Police Department," Capillas said.

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Madison honors the courageous members of our AAPI communities and their numerous contributions to the community's strength today and in the future.

"While the achievements and contributions of the AAPI enrich our history, society and culture, we must also acknowledge a darker aspect of the AAPI experience in America. Structural discrimination, prejudice and injustice that most recently manifested itself in racist attacks on Asian Americans related to the pandemic," Conley said.

The month of May has been chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which involved up to 20,000 Chinese workers.

The month honors the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have contributed to the history and future success of the United States.

Thank you for reading! Have a news tip, correction or comment? Email vianella.burns@patch.com. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter here.