The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING MULTIRACIAL HERITAGE WEEK
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 28, 2021
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize June 7-14, 2021, as Multiracial Heritage Week, a celebration for all people. This week highlights our similarities, not our differences.
Multiracial Heritage Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the multiracial community. Multiracial individuals are not only parts of other populations, but they are also a growing population in and of itself.
There are over 9.3 million individuals who self-identify as more than one race, which is the fastest growing population in the nation. According to the Pew Research Center, the largest groups of individuals identified themselves as white-American Indian, white-Asian, white-
black, and white-some other race. The Census Bureau estimates the multiracial population will triple by 2060.
California is home to the largest multiracial population in our country. In the Central Valley, diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Many people have come together to educate our communities, spread awareness, and celebrate their heritage during this important week.
Multiracial Heritage Week was started by Project Reclassify All Children Equally (RACE), a national nonprofit and all-volunteer organization based in Los Banos, CA. It advocates for multiracial children, adults, and families through multiracial education and community awareness.
Project RACE was founded by Susan Graham and Chris Ashe in 1991. Both Susan and Chris had multiracial children, who experienced problems with forms that did not allow an option of choosing more than one race or a Multiracial classification.
As a result, Graham and representatives of Project RACE testified five times before the U.S. Congress and advocated for the implementation of multiracial classification. Subsequently, the checking of more than one box on federal agency and census forms was established. Therefore, Multiracial people are known as ``people who check two or more races'' by our United States government.
The organization is committed to advocating for civil rights and the appropriate inclusion of Multiracial people. The current struggle for racial justice is multifaceted and takes place on many fronts. I am proud to see this organization and my constituents rise up to advocate for equal rights and celebrate diversity.
Progress is made through the efforts of courageous individuals who actively engage within their communities and advocate for the rights of others. The people of the Central Valley have continuously shown that diversity is our strength and unity is our power.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the multiracial community and their contributions to our society. This could not have been possible without the dedication and contributions of the Project RACE organization.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 112
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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