Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebrated at TSC

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (29 May 2013) (NNS) -- Staff members at Training Support Center (TSC), Great Lakes, held a luncheon in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month on May 29.

This year's national theme was "Building Leadership: Embracing Cultural Values and Inclusion."

The event included a presention slideshow highlighting the contributions of members of the military who are of Asian or Pacific Islander decent.

Directed by Congress in 1978 and established by presidential proclamation in 1979, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was first observed the week of May 4, 1979. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush expanded the observance to encompass the month of May, and in 1992, Congress passed a law permanently designating May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

May is significant for this observance as it commemorates the arrival date of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843 and the significant contributions from Chinese pioneers completing the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.

Capt. Henry "Hank" P. Roux Jr., commanding officer, TSC, spoke to the guests as he stressed the importance of recognizing the Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.

"This month actually represents 50 different heritages, cultures and languages," said Roux. "One of the largest is the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that encompasses the most diverse group that we celebrate in an individual month."

Sailors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage comprise 6.5 percent of the U.S. active duty naval force. Currently, over 20,000 active duty sailors, 4,000 reservists, and 18,900 civilians identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander, including 10 flag officers, nine members of the senior executive service, and 176 master chief petty officers.

"They make up a significant portion of the Navy, and I think it's only right that we take the time to celebrate their contributions to the Navy and in the military as a whole," said Roux.

The achievements of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Hawaii's first congressman and the first Japanese American to serve in Congress were highlighted during the event. Senator Inouye, a champion of the armed force, enlisted in the Army at 17, served during World War II, and received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism and indomitable leadership.

"He was without a doubt, at the end of his senate, the armed forces chairman which had the greatest significance on the military in our ability to continue to get raises and continue our quality of life within the armed services," said Roux, speaking of Inouye as the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations. "We owe him a great gratitude of debt for his 30+ years in the Senate."

The event concluded with a luncheon that included a variety of Asian and Pacific Islander dishes.

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/local/tscgl/.