[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E8-E9]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A CENTURY OF INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 27, 1998

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the beginning of a 
year-long celebration of the centennial of Philippine independence. 
June 12, 1898 is the day the Philippines gained its independence from 
Spain--and June 12th is celebrated in the Philippines as Independence 
Day by order of President Diosdado Macapagal.
  This year, in the Philippines and in the numerous Filipino-American 
communities in the United States, lengthy celebrations are being 
prepared that will occur throughout the entire year. In my hometown of 
San Diego, a civic

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parade showcasing Filipino culture is among the many events planned to 
commemorate this milestone.
  Historians tell us that the Philippines was ``discovered'' in 1521 by 
Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan, who worked for Spain. In spite of 
a bloody battle between Filipino fighters and the invaders in which 
Magellan was killed, Spain colonized the Philippines and held power for 
nearly four hundred years.
  In 1896, Filipinos mustered the courage to bond together to overthrow 
the Spanish colonialists. Filipino revolutionaries, led by General 
Emilio Aguinaldo, took to the streets in his hometown of Kawit, about 
15 miles southwest of Manila, and proclaimed an end to Spanish rule. 
The open resistance of the imperial power of Spain led to the 
declaration of independence two years later on June 12, 1898 and with 
it the birth of Asia's first independent nation.
  But in real terms, just as Spain slipped out, came the colonizing 
power of the United States. Spain ``ceded'' the Philippines to the 
United States, blatantly ignoring the Filipinos' own proclamation of 
freedom. So, practically, the century of independence is somewhat of an 
illusion, for the Philippines was a territory and then a commonwealth 
of the United States until July 4, 1946.
  However, Independence Day is celebrated for good reason on June 12th, 
because the victory in 1898 symbolizes to the Filipino people the 
triumph of political will and physical endurance by Filipinos against 
foreign control. Today, Filipinos are free and they have proven their 
quest for freedom in countless battles--most recently as part of the 
American Army in World War II.
  Filipino soldiers were drafted into the Armed Forces by President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt--and promised full benefits as American veterans. 
But these benefits were rescinded by the 79th Congress in 1946. 
Congressman Ben Gilman and I have now introduced the Filipino Veterans 
Equity Act (H.R. 836) which would restore the benefits promised when 
these soldiers were drafted into service by the President of the United 
States and fought side-by-side with soldiers from the American mainland 
against a common enemy.
  Over 175 of our colleagues have co-sponsored H.R. 836, in support of 
these brave veterans. A most appropriate way to commemorate this 
centennial year of Philippine independence is to pass H.R. 836 and 
restore honor and equity to the Filipino veterans of World War II!
  As Congressman of the Congressional district which includes more 
Filipino-American residents than any other except for Hawaii, I am very 
honored to have been chosen as their representative in Congress. I look 
forward to participating in the 1998 celebrations commemorating their 
Independence Day and the spirit, resourcefulness, warmth, and 
compassion of the people of the Philippines and of Filipino-Americans.

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