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[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