[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 93 (Friday, June 27, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN HONOR OF THE PHILIPPINE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Philippine American 
Society of Ohio [PASO] as the group inaugurates the PASO Cultural and 
Civic Center on June 29, 1997.
  PASO was founded in 1967 with the purpose of uniting all Filipinos in 
the Cleveland area. The handful of pioneers has grown over the past 30 
years into a solid organization which embraces cultural, civic, social, 
and humanitarian programs.
  Since World War II, Filipinos, mostly professionals, emigrated to 
America in the thousands. The Filipino population in the Cleveland area 
is estimated to be close to 3,000 families. The rich traditions of 
Philippine culture in Cleveland continue to flourish with the help of 
PASO. In 1985, PASO purchased a 4.9 acre piece of land on which these 
visionaries hoped to build a Cultural Center. On June 29, after many 
years of hard work and fundraising, the organization will celebrate the 
groundbreaking for its Cultural and Civic Center in Parma, OH.
  With the completion of the Cultural Center, PASO will be able to hold 
more events and activities in order to better accomplish the goals and 
objectives of the organization. My fellow colleagues, please join me in 
honoring PASO in its efforts to keep the Philippine culture alive in 
Cleveland.

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