Iowa State University recognizes Asian American Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month in April, moving it up from the official AAPI month of May in order to celebrate while most students are still on campus. The history of this heritage month is as follows: A joint resolution proclaiming Asian American Heritage Week, proposed by Representative Frank Horton, was passed by the first signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. In 1990, Asian American Heritage Week was expanded to a month and May was officially designated Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month in 1992. AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
