[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 76 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6289-S6290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED 
                STATES AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Foreign 
Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 
235 and that the Senate then proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 235) commemorating 100 years of 
     relations between the people of the United States and the 
     people of the Philippines.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today marks the centennial of the 
Philippines' independence from Spain and also the 100th anniversary of 
Philippine-American relations. I urge my colleagues to reflect upon our 
friendly relationship with the Filipino people and their Republic.
  The Sun and Stars, the flag of the Republic of the Philippines, has 
once again been unfurled on the same balcony where General Emilio 
Aguinaldo declared the country's independence, overthrowing 300 years 
of Spanish colonization on June 12, 1898.
  With that act by General Aguinaldo, Filipinos earned the distinct 
honor of being the first indigenous people in Asia to wrest their 
freedom and independence by force of arms from their European colonial 
masters.
  The Philippine Centennial is a toast to the Filipino spirit, to the 
rebirth of a courageous nation, to Asia's first republic and 
constitutional democracy, and to a glorious and progressive future for 
the Filipino Nation.
  There is no better time than now to recognize the enduring friendship 
between our two countries. It is a friendship which flourished despite 
tragic beginnings in a conflict first with the Spanish in 1898, and 
subsequently with Filipino independence fighters. But we moved beyond 
that struggle and worked diligently to grant full Philippine 
independence in 1946.

  During World War II, Filipino troops fought bravely side-by-side with 
American forces and Filipino guerrilla fighters were indispensable in 
the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation.
  The Philippines continued, even after independence, to be America's 
most important ally in Asia, again contributing troops to the Korean 
conflict and to the Vietnam war.
  We owe a debt of gratitude, if not more, to our Filipino friends. We 
rejoiced when the peaceful ``people power'' revolution restored 
democracy to the Philippines twelve years ago. Presidents Corazon 
Aquino and Fidel Ramos established a democratic government and 
instituted market-based reforms which placed the Philippines--
politically and economically--on a strong foundation for the 21st 
century.
  I am confidant that newly elected President, Joseph Estrada, will 
continue to nurture these reforms. The Multilateral Aid Initiative for 
the Philippines that Congress launched following the ``people power'' 
revolution was an effort not only to demonstrate support for Filipino 
democracy but also to show our lasting commitment to an enduring 
relationship with the Philippines. This continues to be the basis for 
our policy, and it is instructive that during the current Asian 
financial crisis the Philippines has escaped the worst effects of the 
crisis.
  The United States continues to be the largest trading partner and 
foreign investor in the Philippines. One-third of Philippines' exports 
come to America. Two-way trade between our two countries exceeds $12 
billion.
  Today, all Americans should honor our good friendship with the 
Philippines on this important commemoration of their independence, 
support their continued political and economic progress, and work to 
maintain the special and close relationship between our sister 
democracies. The Philippines has clearly become a positive role model 
for its Asian neighbors.
  Mr. President, because of the deep and enduring ties that have 
tradionally bound the people of the Philippines and the United States 
together, I strongly urge our colleagues to adopt S. Res. 235, a 
resolution commemorating 100 years of friendly relations between the 
people of the United States and the Philippines.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and the 
preamble be agreed to, en bloc, and that the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 235) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 235

       Whereas 1998 marks 100 years of special ties between the 
     people of the United States and the people of the Philippines 
     and is also

[[Page S6290]]

     the centennial celebration of Philippine independence from 
     Spain which initiated relations with the United States;
       Whereas the people of the Philippines have on many 
     occasions demonstrated their strong commitment to democratic 
     principles and practices, the free exchange of views on 
     matters of public concern, and the development of a strong 
     civil society;
       Whereas the Philippines has embraced economic reform and 
     free market principles and, despite current challenging 
     circumstances, its economy has registered significant 
     economic growth in recent years benefiting the lives of the 
     people of the Philippines;
       Whereas the large Philippine-American community has 
     immeasurably enriched the fabric of American society and 
     culture;
       Whereas Filipino soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with 
     American troops on the battlefields of World War II, Korea, 
     and Vietnam;
       Whereas the Philippines is an increasingly important 
     trading partner of the United States as well as the recipient 
     of significant direct American investment;
       Whereas the United States relies on the Philippines as a 
     partner and treaty ally in fostering regional stability, 
     enhancing prosperity, and promoting peace and democracy; and
       Whereas the 100th anniversary of relations between the 
     people of the United States and the people of the Philippines 
     offers an opportunity for the United States and the 
     Philippines to renew their commitment to international 
     cooperation on issues of mutual interest and concern: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Philippines on the commemoration of 
     its independence from Spain;
       (2) looks forward to a broadening and deepening of 
     friendship and cooperation with the Philippines in the years 
     ahead for the mutual benefit of the people of the United 
     States and the people of the Philippines;
       (3) supports the efforts of the Philippines to further 
     strengthen democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the 
     expansion of free market economics both at home and abroad; 
     and
       (4) recognizes the close relationship between the nations 
     and the people of the United States and the people of the 
     Philippines and pledges its support to work closely with the 
     Philippines in addressing new challenges as we begin our 
     second century of friendship and cooperation.

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Kyl). Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for 5 
minutes as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________