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一九九二年，美國總統布希正式簽署由國會議員荷頓(Rep.
Frank Horton)和諾曼(Norman Mineta)所提出的法案HR5572，訂下每年五月為「美國亞太裔傳統月」(Asian
Pacific American Heritage Month)，以慶祝並表揚亞太裔美人對美國的貢獻，隨即在美國眾議院和參議院中獲多數通過。一九九九年，美國國會為表揚台美人對美國社會的奉獻，特別指定每年五月亞太裔傳統月中當中的一個星期，為「美國台灣傳統週」(Taiwanese
American Heritage Week)。一九九九年五月與二０００年五月，美國總統柯林頓均發函向「美國台灣傳統週」致敬並表祝賀，阿扁總統從二０００年開始每年台灣傳統週前均來函表示祝賀與鼓勵。
活動宗旨和目的
「台美人傳統週」，主要宗旨在表彰台美人對美國經濟、文化和各方面的貢獻，並向美國主流社會介紹台美人的傳統文化背景，讓主流友人認識「台灣」和「台灣人」；更藉由「台美人傳統週」的慶祝活動，來增進台美人與主流或其他族裔的溝通及互動。
Background of the Celebration
In 1992, the U.S. President Bush officially signed Act HR5572 put forward by Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta of the Congress and made May of each year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It is to celebrate and praise the contribution made by Asian Pacific American to the United States, and promptly this act was passed both in the House of Representatives and the Senate by majority votes.
In 1999, to praise the contribution made by Taiwanese American to the U.S. society, the U.S. Congress specifically designated a week in Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May as Taiwanese American Heritage Week. Both in May 1999 and in May 2000, the U.S. President Clinton sent letter to congratulate on Taiwanese American Heritage Week.
Sine 2000, Taiwan President Chen Shui- Bian has been sending congratulatory letter to Taiwanese Americans.
Purpose and Objectives of the Celebration
Taiwanese American Heritage Week is held mainly to praise the Taiwanese American on their
contribution to the U.S. economy, culture and other fields, to introduce the Taiwanese
American Heritage to the U.S. social mainstream, to help the mainstream friends to
recognize Taiwan and Taiwanese. Furthermore, through the celebration of Taiwanese American
Heritage Week, the communication and interaction between Taiwanese American and other
ethnic groups will be promoted.
