WEBVTT 00:08.779 --> 00:10.779 Greetings everyone . Every may . We 00:10.779 --> 00:12.835 recognize the many contributions and 00:12.835 --> 00:15.001 strong heritage of Asian Americans and 00:15.001 --> 00:16.612 Pacific Islanders of various 00:16.612 --> 00:18.668 nationalities and ancestry that have 00:18.668 --> 00:21.180 sacrificed and served in our Navy . As 00:21.190 --> 00:23.246 of December , the Asian American and 00:23.246 --> 00:25.246 Pacific Islander community makes up 00:25.246 --> 00:27.023 more than 70,000 members of the 00:27.023 --> 00:29.190 Department of the Navy's Total force . 00:29.190 --> 00:30.912 We celebrate the hard work and 00:30.912 --> 00:32.857 achievements of Asians and Pacific 00:32.857 --> 00:34.634 Islanders who have defended and 00:34.634 --> 00:36.690 continue to defend America's freedom 00:36.690 --> 00:38.857 through service in our Navy and Marine 00:38.857 --> 00:40.746 Corps team . This year's theme of 00:40.746 --> 00:42.857 advancing leaders through opportunity 00:42.857 --> 00:44.912 reflects our deliberate endeavors to 00:44.912 --> 00:46.746 ensure all sailors , marines and 00:46.746 --> 00:48.959 civilians can advance grow and lead 00:48.970 --> 00:51.729 without barriers or discrimination as 00:51.740 --> 00:53.851 we continue to build a culture of war 00:53.851 --> 00:56.073 fighting excellence . I am committed to 00:56.073 --> 00:58.240 the conscious and intentional effort . 00:58.240 --> 01:00.407 We must put forth to afford leadership 01:00.407 --> 01:02.518 and advancement opportunities for all 01:02.518 --> 01:04.629 individuals including Asian Americans 01:04.629 --> 01:06.629 and Pacific Islanders . This effort 01:06.629 --> 01:08.684 includes recognizing that our nearly 01:08.684 --> 01:10.629 250 years of Navy and Marine Corps 01:10.629 --> 01:12.629 history is not perfect , taking the 01:12.629 --> 01:14.740 initiative to learn from the past and 01:14.740 --> 01:16.962 ensuring that we invest in a force that 01:16.962 --> 01:19.240 reflects the nation that we have today . 01:19.240 --> 01:21.559 The deep history with the support dates 01:21.569 --> 01:24.010 back as far as the civil war and 01:24.019 --> 01:26.186 transcends through both world wars and 01:26.186 --> 01:28.419 many major conflicts . During last 01:28.430 --> 01:30.597 year's a month , I had the pleasure of 01:30.597 --> 01:32.319 naming a future guided missile 01:32.319 --> 01:34.486 destroyer after firemen second class , 01:36.559 --> 01:38.726 the only Filipino in the US Navy to be 01:38.726 --> 01:40.892 awarded the medal of honor . This past 01:40.892 --> 01:44.470 January , we celebrate the future US at 01:44.540 --> 01:46.540 the Capitol with retired and active 01:46.540 --> 01:48.207 duty service members , senior 01:48.207 --> 01:50.207 executives , civilian employees and 01:50.207 --> 01:52.207 government leaders to celebrate the 01:52.207 --> 01:54.040 growing accomplishments from the 01:54.040 --> 01:55.984 Filipino American community and to 01:55.984 --> 01:58.096 honor the heroic actions of firemen . 01:58.096 --> 02:00.151 Second class , one of the many proud 02:00.151 --> 02:02.096 members of the Filipino descent in 02:02.096 --> 02:04.096 attendance was retired rear admiral 02:04.096 --> 02:06.262 Eleanor Concepcion Mariano , the first 02:06.262 --> 02:08.484 Filipino American in US Navy history to 02:08.484 --> 02:10.484 become a rear admiral and the first 02:10.484 --> 02:12.707 woman in the military to serve as White 02:12.707 --> 02:14.818 House physician . I announced that Dr 02:14.818 --> 02:16.740 Connie Mariano would continue her 02:16.750 --> 02:18.917 connection with the United States Navy 02:18.917 --> 02:20.806 and serve as the future ship's co 02:20.806 --> 02:23.190 sponsor . In addition to that's great 02:23.199 --> 02:26.369 granddaughter Christine , our military 02:26.380 --> 02:28.213 draws strength from the grit and 02:28.213 --> 02:30.269 determination of our people who come 02:30.269 --> 02:32.102 from all races , backgrounds and 02:32.102 --> 02:34.213 cultures . I thank each and every one 02:34.213 --> 02:36.324 of you for sharing your rich heritage 02:36.324 --> 02:38.547 that has positively impacted our nation 02:38.547 --> 02:40.602 and our department . And I thank you 02:40.602 --> 02:42.602 for your commitment to our Navy and 02:42.602 --> 02:42.830 Marine Corps team .