Director's Message5/6/03

     Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the rich culture represented by the various ethnicities, languages, religions, and traditions of Asian Pacific Americans. In 1979, under President Jimmy Carter, the observance began as a week-long celebration. It was expanded to cover an entire month in 1990 under President George Bush. Since 1992, the month of May of each year has been designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in commemoration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843.

     Since the early 1800’s, Asian Pacific people have greatly influenced the development of the United States in the areas of education, industry, government, business, and technology. The ultimate sacrifice was made by Asian Pacific American Ellison S. Onizuka, NASA Astronaut and mission specialist for the space shuttle Challenger. During World War II, Japanese Americans interred by our government, volunteered to serve in the United States Army as a show of patriotism for their adopted country. They formed the all Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and served with extreme distinction in Italy and southern France. Several of their members won the prestigious Medal of Honor. In these and so many other areas, Asian Pacific Americans have played a vital role and made lasting contributions in all elements of American society.

     In the United States, 13 million Asian Pacific Americans make up five percent of the population. Asian born residents comprise one-fourth of the nation’s total foreign born population, with China, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and Korea being the five largest groups. Asian American military veterans number 284,000.

     In DoDDS Pacific, five percent of our educators are also Asian Pacific Americans. They bring to our children their rich cultures, diverse talents, and multi-faceted experiences. Their professionalism, perseverance and commitment to excellence are evidenced every day through the contributions they make in our classrooms and in our communities.

     I encourage each of you to take advantage of Asian Pacific Heritage Month to learn more about the great history and extraordinary contributions of Asian Pacific Americans. Moreover, living in Japan and Korea in the DoDDS Pacific Area, gives all of us the opportunity to interact with our host nation neighbors, as well as to visit and enjoy the splendor and beauty of the countries that are an integral part of every Asian Pacific American’s heritage.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS Pacific