[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.
____________________