[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 780 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 780

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                      November 2, 2009.
Whereas the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental 
        United States was the date of October 18, 1587, when the first ``Luzones 
        Indios'' set foot in Morro Bay, California, on board the Manila-built 
        galleon ship Nuestra Senora de Esperanza;
Whereas the Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes the year of 
        1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the 
        United States in St. Malo Parrish, Louisiana, which set in motion the 
        focus on the story of our Nation's past from a new perspective by 
        concentrating on the economic, cultural, social, and other notable 
        contributions that Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward 
        the development of the history of the United States;
Whereas the Filipino American community is the second largest Asian American 
        group in the United States with a population of approximately 3,100,000 
        people;
Whereas Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have a longstanding 
        history serving within the Armed Services of the United States, from the 
        Civil War to the present Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including the 
        250,000 Filipinos who fought under the United States flag during World 
        War II to protect and defend this country;
Whereas Filipino Americans are an integral part of the United States healthcare 
        system as nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals;
Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to the fine arts, music, 
        dance, literature, education, business, literature, journalism, sports, 
        fashion, politics, government, science, technology, and other fields in 
        the United States which enrich the landscape of the country;
Whereas efforts must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history 
        and culture, as mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino 
        American National Historical Society, because the roles of Filipino 
        Americans and other people of color have been overlooked in the writing, 
        teaching, and learning of United States history;
Whereas it is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role 
        models to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with 
        the richness of their ethnicity and the value of their legacy; and
Whereas Filipino American History Month is celebrated during the month of 
        October: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as 
        a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans, as a time of 
        reflection and remembrance, and as a time to renew efforts toward the 
        research and examination of history and culture in order to provide an 
        opportunity for all people in the United States to learn and appreciate 
        more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the 
        Nation; and
            (2) urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino 
        American History Month with appropriate programs and activities.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.