FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas— Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) and III Corps will host an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration here on May 17 from 1:30 to 2:30 P.M.

The event, titled “Unite our vision by working together,” celebrates the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to our great nation.

The celebration will include remarks by Amy Wong Mok, founder and CEO of the Asian American Cultural Center in Austin.  The Pacific Heights Express dance group from Killeen, TX will perform traditional dances. There will also be cultural displays and ethnic food provided.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill In June 1977. On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration and Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration into a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month was signed into law.

Media wanting to cover the event should contact the 3ABCT Public Affairs Office, at 254-288-7059, or email: scott.m.kuhn.mil@mail.mil, no later than Noon Monday, May 14 for further details.