The 2014 DOJ AAPI Heritage Month Observance Program “Diverse Leadership and Expanding Opportunity:

On Thursday, May 8, 2014, The 2014 DOJ Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Observance Program was held in the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Building. The theme for this year’s program was “Diverse Leadership and Expanding Opportunity: An Imperative for America.” The featured keynote speaker for this year’s program was The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This event was attended by over 150 DOJ employees and was broadcasted through Justice Television Network.

The program began with welcome remarks by Allie C. Yang-Green, Trial Attorney of DOJ Tax Division and Chair of DOJ Pan Asia Employees Association, followed by the presentation of the colors by The Armed Forces Color Guard Military District of Washington and singing of the national anthem by Mona N. Sahaf, Attorney Advisor, Office of Chief Counsel, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, U.S. Department of Treasury.

Then, Denise Cheung, Counselor to the Attorney General, introduced The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States. Mr. Holder recognized the accomplishments of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders on the many ways they have enriched the United States and the Department. Mr. Holder then introduced the keynote speaker The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Retired U.S. Army General Shinseki was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2008 to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate in 2009. Prior to his service as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Shinseki served as Chief of Staff, United States Army, from 1999 to 2003. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he led the Army during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and integrated the pursuit of the Global War on Terrorism. Prior to becoming the Army’s Chief of Staff, Secretary Shinseki served as the Vice Chief of Staff from 1998 to 1999. He previously served simultaneously as Commanding General, US Army, Europe and Seventh Army; Commanding General, NATO Land Forces, Central Europe, both headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany; and Commander of the NATO-led Stabilization Force, Bosnia-Herzegovina, headquartered in Sarajevo.

For the program, Secretary Shinseki remarked on how he was born one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor and of his upbringing in Hawaii as a Japanese American. Secretary Shinseki discussed the unfair internment of over 110,000 people of Japanese and other Asian heritage during WWII, even as their loved ones fought bravely abroad. He also discussed how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have prevailed over adversity and the U.S.’s commitment to improving access to programs where Asian American and Pacific Islanders are underserved.

Following the keynote speaker, the audience enjoyed a demonstration of the traditional Chinese Harp performed by Alice and Kent Kan, Founders of the Alice Gu-Zhen Ensemble. Afterwards, Richard Toscano, Director of EEO Staff of the Justice Management Division, gave closing remarks. Immediately following the program, DOJ Pan Asia Employees Association hosted a reception in the Great Hall.

The 2014 DOJ Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Observance Program was the result of the hard work of the Equal Employment Opportunity Staff of the Justice Management Division -- in particular, DOJ Pan Asia thanks Director Richard Toscano and Sylvia Price. However, every year, DOJ Pan Asia is heavily involved in the coordination of the event -- helping to choose the keynote speaker, issuing invitations to guests from organizations from both inside and outside the government that are involved with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, as well as other diversity organizations; organizing a cultural performance and display to be part of the event; and hosting a reception for the keynote speaker, guests, and DOJ Pan Asia's membership.

The event also would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of DOJ Pan Asia's board members including Melody Diegor, Sandy Park, Aditi Sehgal, Allie Yang-Green, and Lan Afram, and other volunteers. Finally, DOJ Pan Asia's reception after the program was made possible by the dues of DOJ Pan Asia's members, as well as the additional generosity of the contributions from many of the Board Members, Board of Advisors, and other members of DOJ Pan Asia - thank you.

For further information about this year's event or to get involved in the future planning of other events involving DOJ Pan Asia, please contact Aditi Sehgal [Aditi.Sehgal2@usdoj.gov] or Melody Diegor Caprio [Melody.Caprio@usdoj.gov], Special Events Co-Chairs, DOJ Pan Asia.