Message from the
Secretary of State

Proceedings

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May 19, 1999: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month program -- "Japanese-American Patriotism: Looking to the Future"
June 11, 1999: Conversation on U.S.-Southeast Asia Relations
April 16, 1999: Asian Pacific American Career Fair
May 13, 1998: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month program -- "Conference on U.S.-Philippine Relations"
July 8, 1998: One America Conversation

The Asian Pacific American Federal Foreign Affairs Council is an interagency association of employees of Federal departments and agencies with the mission of active involvement in United States foreign affairs. Agencies represented are Department of State, Department of Defense, Agency for International Development, National Security Agency, Peace Corps, U.S. Information Agency, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Department of Energy. APAFFAC was founded in 1981 to support the EEO mission of the foreign affairs agencies, particularly in improving recruitment, outreach, and professional development of Asian Pacific American officers. It has sponsored annual career fairs and other professional development programs.

In 1996, APAFFAC launched a series of seminars focusing on U.S. policy toward the Asia-Pacific region and the contributions of Asian Pacific Americans in U. S. diplomacy. APAFFAC has also sponsored a series of cultural heritage exhibits celebrating the contributions and achievements of the Asian Pacific American communities. In 1997, APAFFAC sponsored an two-month display at the State Department Diplomatic lobby of the exhibit by the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii on "The Legacy of Excellence: Highlights of Hawaiian Culture." The APAFFAC 1998 program series honored the Filipino American community and the centennial of US-Philippine relations. It sponsored a foreign policy conference on US-Philippine relations, a leadership development seminar, and a two-month display at the State Department of the Bishop Museum exhibit honoring the achievements of Filipino Americans in Hawaii.

The APAFFAC 1999 program honors the contributions and achievements of the Japanese American community. On May 19, 1999, APAFFAC hosted the official opening of the exhibit at the State Department Diplomatic Lobby of "Witness: Our Brothers' Keepers" (Japanese American and Jewish American GIs who helped liberate Dachau). The exhibit was co-produced by the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and the National Museum of American Jewish Military History. APAFFAC also hosted a foreign policy conference on U.S.-Japan relations, a program honoring Japanese American patriotism, a leadership/coalition-building seminar. On May 20, 1999, the Smithsonian Institution hosted a panel discussion with Japanese American and Jewish American World War II Veterans. APAFFAC is deeply grateful for the support of Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D, Hawaii), Ms. Irene Hirano, President of JANM, and Mr. Franklin Odo of the Smithsonian Institution.