R 091948Z APR 12
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 203/12
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2012 ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH//
POC/K. M. FLAGG/LTCOL/CMC (MPE)/-/TEL: DSN 278-9371/TEL: COMM (703)784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH WAS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED AS PACIFIC/ASIAN HERITAGE WEEK BY CONGRESSMEN FRANK HORTON AND NORMAN MINETA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN JULY 1977.  ON 23 OCTOBER 1992, THE 102ND CONGRESS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED PUBLIC LAW 102-450, DESIGNATING MAY AS ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. THE 2012 THEME IS "STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION."
2.  ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE GROWTH OF AMERICA IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS.  FROM THE ARRIVAL OF CHINESE AND FILIPINO IMMIGRANTS DURING THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY THROUGH TODAY, ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NATION.  DURING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, WE HONOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS CITIZENS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLAND ANCESTRY HAVE MADE TO OUR NATION.
3.  THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY, ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND AND PROTECT OUR NATION AND LIBERTY.  THE DEDICATION AND VALOR OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN CAN BE TRACED IN EVERY AMERICAN BATTLE SINCE THE CIVIL WAR.  ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS BRING CULTURAL TALENTS AND SKILLS THAT ENHANCE OUR CORPS' WARFIGHTING CAPABILITIES IN MANY AREAS TO INCLUDE MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC, AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.  THIS YEAR WE RECOGNIZE GUNNERY SERGEAT MYUNG YOO AS ONE OF THOSE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS WHO CONTINUES TO EPITOMIZE THE CITIZEN-WARRIOR ATTRIBUTES BEST DISPLAYED IN A DIVERSE FORCE.  GYSGT YOO WILL RECEIVE THE 2012 FEDERAL ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN COUNCIL'S MILITARY MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL THAT BEST DISPLAYS THE IDEALS OF DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY, AND CORE VALUES.
4.  ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS COUNTRY'S PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY IN GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, AND SPORTS.  THE FABRIC OF AMERICA'S MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY IS STRONGER DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE THAT ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS HAVE PLAYED IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY.
5.  ONE OF AMERICA'S GREATEST STRENGTHS IS IN THE HEART OF ITS PEOPLE AND THE RICHNESS OF ITS DIVERSITY; WE MUST UNDERSTAND MARINES TO LEAD MARINES. BY RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS, OUR NATION CELEBRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
6.  DURING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, COMMANDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE TIME TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE DEDICATED SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, TO OUR COUNTRY AND CORPS.  COMMANDERS ARE FURTHER ENCOURAGED TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE PARTICIPATION IN OBSERVANCE EVENTS AT THEIR COMMANDS AND IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
7.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY (SES) MR. M. F. APPLEGATE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION.//