May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), which celebrates and recognizes the culture, contributions, traditions and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The first 10 days of May were first designated as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week in 1978 by Jimmy Carter, but the celebration was expanded to a month by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
The month of May was chosen because of its special significance: the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the transcontinental railroad which was largely constructed by Chinese immigrants was completed on May 10, 1869.
This year, in President Barack Obama’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2015 Presidential Proclamation, he said, “During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we honor the perseverance of those who courageously reached for their hopes and dreams in a new land, and we celebrate the important impact the AAPI community has made on our Nation’s progress.”
Many Cultures, One Voice: Promote Equality and Inclusion
The theme for the 2015 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is “Many Cultures, One Voice: Promote Equality and Inclusion.” The theme was designated by the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) which represents the civilian and military Asian Pacific American (APA) employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments. The theme highlights the diversity of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community which encompasses members from the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Officers
Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders said that AAPIs have struggled and persevered to help make America what it is today, and now “AAIP men and women are leaders and trailblazers in every aspect of American life.” Watch this video featuring Kiran Ahuja and Konrad Ng, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American (APA) Center as they discuss the experiences of AAPIs, the importance of this month, the White House Summit on AAPIs on May 12, and the learning resources available at the SmithsonianAPA website.
AAPI Military Officers
AAPIs contribute greatly to our country in many ways, including as leaders in our military. According to the Department of Defense Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, there are 11,370 Asian American and Pacific Islander Officers currently serving our country:
- 5,059 Army
- 617 Marines
- 2,631 Navy
- 2,966 Air Force
- 97 Coast Guard
- 1,190 Army National Guard
- 455 Air National Guard
Omni Financial is proud to observe Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and honor our AAPI military members. Thank you for your service!
