RES-2025-023RESOLUTION NO. 2025-023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ANAHEIM RECOGNIZING THE MIDDLE EASTERN AND
NORTH AFRICAN COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING
ASSEMBLY BILL 91 "MENA INCLUSION ACT"
WHEREAS, the City of Anaheim strives to be an inclusive and equitable city that
supports all its residents, regardless of racial, ethnic, or cultural background; and
WHEREAS, Anaheim is home to more than 20,000 Middle Eastern and North African
(MENA) individuals of different nationalities and origins from the MENA region, all
contributing to the city's cultural, economic, and social fabric; and
WHEREAS, the MENA community in Anaheim has been instrumental in shaping the
local economy, particularly in the business, healthcare, technology, education, and service
industries, as well as through the establishment of Little Arabia, a cultural and economic hub;
and
WHEREAS, data from the Census is inaccurate due to the lack of state -level methods to
reach, engage, and collect MENA data; and
WHEREAS, representational data is critical for ensuring that MENA communities have a
voice in policymaking, civic engagement, and advocacy efforts, allowing for more inclusive and
equitable governance; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is home to the largest MENA population in the
United States, yet state and local agencies have not disaggregated data for MENA individuals,
thereby limiting their access to health, education, and economic development opportunities; and
WHEREAS, national and statewide efforts have sought to create a MENA category for
more accurate demographic representation and equitable distribution of resources; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 91 (AB 91) aims to ensure MENA groups are accurately
represented in demographic data collected in the State of California; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 91 would require state and local agencies that collect
demographic data as to the ancestry or ethnic origin of Californians to use separate collection
categories and tabulations for major MENA groups, to include that data in every demographic
report published on or after January 1, 2027, and to make the aggregated data available to the
public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, as follows:
1. The City of Anaheim formally supports Assembly Bill 91, the Middle Eastern and North
African Inclusion Act, recognizing its importance in advancing equity and proper
representation for the MENA community in California.
2. The City of Anaheim formally recognizes the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)
community as a distinct racial and ethnic group with unique cultural, economic, and social
contributions.
3. The City of Anaheim will continue to recognize the contributions and culture of the MENA
community within the city.
THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION is approved and adopted by the City Council of the
City of Anaheim this 25th day of March 2025 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mayor Aitken and Council Members Meeks, Balius, Leon, Rubalcava,
Kurtz and Maahs
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CIT
M-
ARRK OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
2
CLERK'S CERTIFICATE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ANAHEIM )
I, THERESA BASS, City Clerk of the City of Anaheim, do hereby certify that the foregoing is the
original Resolution No. 2025-023 adopted at a regular meeting provided by law, of the Anaheim
City Council held on the 251' day of March. 2025 by the following vote of the members thereof:
AYES: Mayor Aitken and Council Members Meeks, Balius, Leon, Rubalcava,
Kurtz and Maahs
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 27t' day of March. 2025.
AITYK OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
(SEAL)