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Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated in May to commemorate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.
Just as we celebrate the rich history and contributions of our black, Latino and American Indian brothers and sisters, so too should we recognize, appreciate and celebrate the vibrant and diverse culture of Asian Americans.
This year’s theme is “Leadership to Meet the Challenges of a Changing World.”
APAH Month was first established in 1977 when representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta and senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced resolutions asking the president to declare the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week.
Congress passed a joint congressional resolution to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May.
This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. Congress later voted to expand it from a week-long to a month-long celebration.
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush proclaimed the entire month of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
APAH Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students.
In honor of APAH Month, we are holding a number of activities to share our heritage with the KMC. There was a kick-off breakfast May 8 and a food tasting at the commissary May 13.
There will be a luau sponsored by 435th Services at the Ramstein Enlisted Club today and the Taste of Asia event May 28 at the Southside Gym Annex.
We welcome everyone to come celebrate these APAH events with us.
