[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 97 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF DELANO, CA ON THEIR 24th ANNUAL 
                      PHILIPPINE WEEKEND FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 1998

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
entire community in Kern County, California, at the Southern end of the 
20th district. For twenty-four years, the unique Philippine Weekend 
Festival has been a way for the Filipino community of Delano to 
celebrate their culture and traditions over three full days.
  The festival is the largest Filipino cultural event held in the state 
of California, attracting over 10,000 people each year. Founded in 1975 
by members of the Filipino Athletic League in Delano, the concept 
sought to bring community unity to the local Filipino populations: the 
manongs, or island-born, the mestizos, or U.S.-born, and the younger 
new immigrants in addition to already established and emerging Filipino 
organizations.
  Today, twenty-four years after its grassroots beginnings, a formal 
board of directors and two standing committees (the Philippine Weekend 
Committee and the Filipino Athletic League) oversee the more than 
twenty events which make up the celebration. A dynamic mix of young and 
old, male and female, rich and poor, gather together in an annual show 
of driving energy and creativity to celebrate Kern County's rich 
Filipino heritage.
  I am proud to be able to attend this remarkable event this year, as I 
have in years past, to join in celebrating the Filipino culture and 
traditions, and to take part in helping to keep those traditions alive. 
The Filipino community of Delano, and all across the San Joaquin 
Valley, is to be commended for their hard work on continuing to sponsor 
this wonderful event, and their profound sense of community strength 
and cultural unity. Congratulations on the 24th Annual Philippine 
Weekend Festival, and may there be many more to come!

                          ____________________