ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 271626Z JAN 00 ZYBW MIN PSN 670753J28
 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
 
TO NAVADMIN
 
UNCLAS  //N05354//
NAVADMIN 009/00
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/PERS-00J//
 
SUBJ/AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, FEBRUARY 2000//
 
RMKS/1.  FEBRUARY 2000 MARKS THE 74TH ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF AFRICAN
AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.  THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME, SELECTED BY THE
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY
(ASALH), IS "HERITAGE AND HORIZONS:  THE AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGACY FOR
THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY."  THIS THEME REFLECTS THE PAST
STRUGGLES MADE BY THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO RISKED AND OFTEN GAVE THEIR
LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.  IT IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO
REINFORCE OUR COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATE ANY FORM OF RACISM,
DISCRIMINATION, AND BIGOTRY IN OUR COUNTRY.  IT IS ESPECIALLY
RELEVANT TO OUR NAVY, AS WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE DIVERSITY, THAT
WE ALL, FROM SEAMAN TO ADMIRAL, DO OUR PART TO ENSURE OUR NATION
REMAINS A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY AMERICAN.
 
2.  THE AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGACY INCLUDES THE SILENT BRAVERY AND
DEDICATION OF THE NAVY STEWARDS BRANCH, INCLUDING THE EMERGENCE OF
WORLD WAR II HEROES LIKE PETTY OFFICER DORIE MILLER AND THE MEN OF
USS MASON (DE 529).  FROM THE USS MASON "EXPERIMENT," A BRIGHT AND
SHINING STAR, VICE ADMIRAL SAMUEL L. GRAVELY, EMERGED AS THE FIRST
AFRICAN AMERICAN NAVY FLAG OFFICER.  IT ALSO INCLUDES THE MEMBERS OF
THE GOLDEN THIRTEEN (FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN NAVY COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS), WESLEY BROWN (FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN NAVAL ACADEMY
GRADUATE), AND JESSE BROWN (FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN DESIGNATED NAVAL
AVIATOR).
 
3.  ALL COMMANDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONDUCT PROGRAMS, SPONSOR
EXHIBITS PUBLISH ITEMS OF INTEREST IN COMMAND BULLETINS, AND SOLICIT
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION IN APPROPRIATE OBSERVANCES OF AFRICAN
AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.  PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS BY
CIVILIAN AND MILITARY PERSONNEL IS ALSO HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.  AN
INFORMATIONAL KIT ON AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH CAN BE OBTAINED
FROM:  ASALH, 7961 EASTERN AVE (STE 301), SILVER SPRING, MD 20910,
(301) 587-5900.
 
4.  FOR QUESTIONS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE MINORITY AFFAIRS
WEBSITE AT WWW.BUPERS.NAVY.MIL/MENTOR OR CONTACT LT WANDA CHANDLER
AT (703) 695-2824/DSN 225 OR EMAIL P00J3@BUPERS.NAVY.MIL.  COMMANDS
ARE ENCOURAGED TO INFORM THE POC OF ACTIVITIES IN YOUR AREA.
 
5.  RELEASED BY VADM N. R. RYAN, JR., N1.
//
 
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