ALCOAST 153/22 - APR 2022 ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH ACCENTUATES COLLABORATION

R 291303Z APR 22 MID600051761340U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 153/22
SSIC 5350
SUBJ: ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
ACCENTUATES COLLABORATION
1. I call on the Coast Guard workforce to join me in spotlighting
and reflecting on our Nation's rich and vibrant Asian American and
Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage this month. Inspired by the vision
of former congressional staff member Jeanie Jew, the first
recognition of what has since become AAPI Heritage Month, Asian
Pacific American Month began in 1977. The month of May was chosen in
part to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese individual
to the United States on May 7, 1843. The 2022 theme, "Advancing
Leaders Through Collaboration," reflects core concepts inherent in
public service, inspiring each of us to prioritize community,
diversity, transparency, and inclusion through leadership.
2. AAPI have a long history in the United States, dating back to the
oldest known permanent Asian American settlement established in
South Louisiana by Filipinos in the 1760s, to the Japanese and
Korean people who immigrated in the 1880s to replace Chinese labor,
to the Southeast Asian Refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in
the mid-1970s. Today, AAPI are the fastest growing racial group in
the United States. The prominence of AAPI scholars, artists,
leaders, and activists have had an enduring effect on many facets
of American culture and society. The AAPI umbrella in the United
States includes cultures from the Asian continent including East,
Southeast, and South Asia and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia,
Micronesia, and Polynesia -- approximately 22.9 million people
according to latest Census statistics.
3. Woven throughout Coast Guard history are AAPI members who have
modeled team-centric approaches to accomplishing our unique
missions. CAPT Gilbert Kanazawa, the first Japanese American to
attain the rank of O-6 in the Coast Guard exemplified this mindset.
As the Coast Guard Liaison Officer to Allied Forces Southern Europe
at NATO Headquarters in Naples, Italy, CAPT Kanazawa facilitated
cooperation among many nations to enforce U.N. Security Council
sanctions in the early 1990s. Other groundbreakers' careers amply
demonstrate collaboration with our international partners in the
preparation of global maritime leaders. For example, ADM Wilfredo
Tamayo ascended through the Coast Guard Academy's International
Cadet Program and in 1979 became one of its first Asian graduates.
Following graduation, Tamayo began his service in the Philippine
Coast Guard and after modeling stellar leadership throughout his
career, became its 22nd Commandant, serving in that capacity from
2008 until 2011. The Service is replete with present-day achievers
who continue to apply the legacy of collaboration to the complex
maritime environment. Machinery Technician First Class Jennifer
Seaver, a Native Hawaiian, earned a Meritorious Advancement to
First Class Petty Officer in January 2022 for strengthening the
climate and inter-departmental cooperation onboard USCGC MACKINAW.
In addition to serving as the acting Main Propulsion Division Chief
and lead division Petty Officer, MK1 Seaver affirmatively pursued
additional responsibilities to ensure her qualifications as
Cutter Boat Crewmember and Buoy Deck Rigger, enhancing the cutter's
mission success.
4. Throughout history, AAPI communities have endured xenophobia,
racism, bias, and violence, and hate against AAPI people was
increasingly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Collectively, we
must continue to prevent discrimination, harassment, bullying, and
intolerance involving AAPI members and all personnel within our
workforce. The Coast Guard developed a social climate incident (SCI)
dashboard to better inform its members of where harassing and
discriminatory behaviors have occurred within our communities.
I encourage all members to view the dashboard and always report any
incidents that have negatively impacted themselves or others in our
Service:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

5. All units and individuals are encouraged to create opportunities
to study and reflect upon the journey and contributions of AAPI
people. Stories of their achievements are our stories. The AAPI
community's achievements have made us a better Coast Guard and
Nation. Conducting activities that honor special communities
reinforce our commitment to equality, dignity, and respect for all
members of our workforce. To learn more about Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders who served in the Coast Guard, please visit the
following page:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.history.uscg.mil/Browse-by-Topic/Notable-People/
Minorities/Asian-Pacific-Americans/

6. POC: COMDT (CG-00H), Mr. Juan Torres, 202-372-4594,
Juan.L.Torres@uscg.mil.
7. ADM Karl L. Schultz, Commandant (CCG), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.

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