Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month Published April 25, 2012 By Capt. Ryan Depew Air Refueling Squadron Operations Flight SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The month of May is a time to pay tribute and celebrate the contributions that Asian and Pacific Island Americans have made to United States society, history, and culture. What once began as a 10-day Asian-Pacific Heritage week in 1977 expanded to encompass the entire month of May. Then on May 7, 1990, President George H.W. Bush issued the Presidential Proclamation 6130 that designated May as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month." May is a significant within the Asian American culture with May 7, 1843 as the date for which the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S.; and May 10, 1869 the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S. was completed where the majority of the workers who laid the railroad tracks were Chinese immigrants. Scott is proud to celebrate the month with 31 educational days of Asian-Pacific Islander American activities. To kick off the month, the library will have a display celebrating the heritage and culture of Asia. Along with the display will be an updated calendar with the entire month's activities, times, and locations. Each week there will be a featured article in the base paper highlighting Asia, war heroes, and commentaries. Every Wednesday evening, a film will be shown for our Asian Film Series. Films, locations, and times will be on the calendar. The Youth Center and the Arts and Crafts Center will be holding classes such as Asian language, baking classes, Feng Shui, and how to make kites and origami. The dining facility will prepare a lunch meal to include Chinese, Korean, and Cantonese cuisine May 15. The Child Development Center will host book readings every Friday at 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Capt. Ryan Depew at ryan.depew@ang.af.mil or call 222-4336.