On May 20, 2025 the Madison Common Council adopted a proclamation recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Alder Govindarajan moved the proclamation and Alder Lankella seconded; the council recorded a unanimous voice vote in favor.

The resolution text presented by Govindarajan recounts national and local demographics and historical notes. It states that approximately 24,000,000 U.S. residents identify as Asian and about 1,600,000 identify as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, comprising about 7% of the U.S. population. The resolution also states that Madison’s AANHPI population totaled 25,815 in the 2020 census and highlights that 2025 marks 50 years since the start of Hmong immigration to Wisconsin following 1975.

At the meeting Fanny Paletti, identified by the clerk as a local business owner, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community. The council recorded the item as moved and seconded and noted a unanimous vote in favor.

The proclamation encourages celebration of AANHPI achievements and recognition of the community’s contributions to Madison’s history.