[with apologies for cross-posting]

...from the Office of Senator Vivienne Poy

Every year Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities that
commemorate the legacy of Asian Canadians, past and present, during
Asian Heritage Month. This year, the Government of Canada officially
recognized May as Asian Heritage Month. According to the Minister of
Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Sheila Copps, this recognition
acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their
contributions to Canada and the world.

"In Canada, our cultural diversity enriches all of us socially,
politically and economically, in innumerable ways. Asian Heritage Month
is an ideal occasion for all Canadians to celebrate the beauty and
wisdom of various Asian cultures. It also affords an opportunity to
acknowledge the many and varied contributions of Asian Canadians to our
communities and to our country," said Minister Copps.

Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since
1979, and over the past decade, many Asians in Canada have begun to
celebrate their heritage during the month of May. Since the inaugural
Asian Heritage Month celebration in Toronto in 1993, cities across
Canada including Halifax, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver
have been holding annual festivities during the month of May to
recognize Asian Heritage Month. In December, 2001, the Senate of Canada
passed a motion officially designating May as Asian Heritage Month.

- 30 -

For more information, please call:

Office of Senator Vivienne Poy
1-800-267-7362
(613) 943-7354

Information is also available at http://sen.parl.gc.ca/vpoy

Canadian Library Association
328 Frank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K2P 0X8
(613) 232-9625; Fax: (613) 563-9895
http://www.cla.ca