Montgomery County Council recognizes May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Montgomery County Council on May 13, 2025, held a ceremony recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Council members highlighted local leaders in public safety, community health and small business and read a proclamation honoring the community’s contributions.

Council member Nancy (Mink) (first referenced in the transcript as Council member Mink) introduced three local leaders featured in a video produced by county communications: Chief Mark Yamada of the Montgomery County Police Department, Mayul Modi (executive director of American Diversity Group), and the owners of Mandalay Restaurant in Silver Spring. “This month, we recognize the challenges overcome and the tremendous contributions made by the wide diversity of our AANHPI community,” Mink said.

A video played during the ceremony that included remarks from Chief Mark Yamada reflecting on his career and the importance of community engagement in policing. “Get outside. Get outside your comfort zone. Get outside into the community,” Chief Yamada said in the video when addressing officers and community members.

Council remarks noted demographic context: the transcript states the AANHPI share of the county population has grown from about 4% historically to over 15% and that about 62,000 county residents identified as Asian American or Pacific Islander in the cited material. County leaders also thanked attending officials, including Sheriff Max Lee, Board of Education President Julie Yang, representatives from U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin’s office, and members of the governor’s and state delegations.

The council read a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as AANHPI Heritage Month and recessed for a luncheon in the Capital Crescent Trail Conference Room; members and guests were invited for a group photograph at the close of the ceremony.

Discussion: Remarks focused on the community’s cultural and civic contributions, local small-business resilience (citing Mandalay Restaurant’s Silver Spring presence), and public-health access provided by American Diversity Group in East County. Direction: The transcript records expressions of appreciation and mentions of county executive and council efforts to help local providers but does not record a formal funding vote during this session. Decision: The council read and presented the proclamation recognizing May 2025 as AANHPI Heritage Month and recessed for a luncheon.