R 281529Z APR 15
MARADMIN 217/15
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP/MPE//
SUBJ/2015 ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH//
POC/L. J. GADEA/SGT/UNIT: MPE/-/TEL: (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN 278-9371/TEL: COMM (703)784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IS A MONTH TO PAY THE PROPER RESPECT AND RECOGNITION TO THE GREAT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS FOR OUR GREAT NATION. ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IS HONORED IN MAY TO RECOGNIZE TWO IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES: THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS TO THE UNITED STATES ON 7 MAY, 1843 AND COMPLETION OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD BY PREDOMINANTLY CHINESE LABORERS ON 10 MAY, 1869.
2. ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS TRACE THEIR HERITAGE TO MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES, SPEAKING MORE THAN 100 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS. THEY HAVE DISTINCT CULTURES, TRADITIONS, AND HISTORIES. THEY HAVE HELPED BUILD AND STRENGTHEN OUR NATION, AND THEY HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL TO SECURE AND PROTECT OUR TREASURED FREEDOMS. AS THIS YEAR’S THEME CONVEYS, OUR NATION DRAWS STRENGTH FROM THE DIVERSITY AND VIBRANCY OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY. THE 2015 THEME FOR ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IS “MANY CULTURES, ONE VOICE: PROMOTE EQUALITY AND INCLUSION.”
3.  THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HUMAN GOALS STATE THAT “OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS INFINITE DIGNITY AND WORTH” EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE ON RECOGNIZING AND EXPLOITING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN. RESEARCH PROVIDES COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT DIVERSITY UNLOCKS INNOVATION, ENSURES THAT EVERYONE IS HEARD, AND APPRECIATE DIFFERENCES. THESE DIFFERENCES ARE THE BEAUTY OF THE VAST AND DIVERSIFIED FIELD IN THE AMERICAN DEMOGRAPHICS.
4.  COMMANDERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE TIME TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS HAVE MADE TO OUR NATION AND ARMED SERVICES. COMMANDERS ARE FURTHER ENCOURAGED TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS AND PROMOTE PARTICIPATION IN OBSERVANCE EVENTS BOTH ON BASE AND IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AND TO DEVELOP LOCAL THEMES FOR USE AT THEIR COMMANDS.
5.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY (SES) MR. M. F. APPLEGATE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION.//