FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: pr@fapac.org
WASHINGTON, DC - The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) is pleased to announce the May 2026 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month theme, “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.”
This year’s theme highlights the importance of leveraging our collective power, telling our stories, and being bridge builders in our communities. The imagery of the bridge in this year’s artwork inspires us to unite in our common causes. Bridges represent many values that are prevalent in AANHPI communities - innovation, resilience, hard work, connection, and a sense of belonging. FAPAC invites you to join us this May to honor the AANHPI leaders who inspire us to work collaboratively and embolden the next generation to build on their legacies.
We remember AANHPI pioneers like the late Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, for whom FAPAC’s Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Award is named. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Secretary Mineta’s family was among 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly held in internment camps during World War II. He began his public service career as an intelligence officer and translator with the U.S. Army in Japan. In 1971, Secretary Mineta was elected the first Japanese American mayor of his hometown, San Jose. He later served over two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975-1997. A bridge builder in every sense, Secretary Mineta served under both Democratic and Republican Administrations, appointed as Secretary of Commerce by President Bill Clinton from 2000-2001 and Secretary of Transportation by President George W. Bush from 2001-2006. Secretary Mineta’s reflections about his family’s experience in the internment camps during World War II are a call to action for us today: “If we will act together, then we are strong enough to withstand any evil, internal or external, that threatens to unravel this beautiful tapestry that is America.”
All are invited to the annual FAPAC Awards Gala on May 30, 2026 in the Washington, DC area to celebrate AANHPI heritage and recognize the winner of the Secretary Norman Y. Mineta Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Award. Additional details and registration are forthcoming.
In 2026, we will also celebrate an incredible milestone with America's 250th anniversary. FAPAC encourages local and national efforts to celebrate American independence, recognize the contributions of AANHPIs woven throughout American history, and create opportunities for volunteerism and public service as a commitment to give back to our communities.
Take part in this year’s celebrations by:
- Finding resources on FAPAC's AANHPI Resource Center and the America 250 websites
- Engaging in AANHPI programs, events, and initiatives in your community
- Supporting efforts that promote connection, service, and shared learning
We look forward to celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month and America’s 250th birthday with you. Your participation strengthens the collective impact of our work.
The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 1985. FAPAC is dedicated to promoting the advancement of civilian employees within the Federal and District of Columbia governments and U.S. military servicemembers, with an emphasis on AANHPIs, through education and networking.
