[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF DR. JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL AND THE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF 
                        RIZAL, CLEVELAND CHAPTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2005

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal and the Order of the Knights of Rizal, 
Cleveland Chapter. The accomplished life and works of Dr. Rizal remains 
a great source of inspiration for the people of the beautiful island of 
the Philippines. His heroic and poignant writings and efforts continue 
to inspire and energize the people of the Philippines, and Filipino 
Americans as well.
  During the 1800's Filiplinos began expressing their anger and 
frustration over colonial rule. Intellectuals,' poets, artists and 
writers became the spiritual leaders in the Filipino quest for freedom 
and independence from Spain. It was the vital works by an unknown, 
young doctor from Lugana Province, Jose Rizal, which set fire to the 
independence movement. Dr. Rizal's explosive first novel, ``Noli Me 
Tanere,'' (Touch Me Not), shattered the facade of colonial rule and 
shed light on the destructive limitations forced upon the Filipino 
people. The novel, though immediately banned by the Spanish rulers, was 
disseminated underground with other highly charged passages by Dr. 
Rizal and others.
  In Manila, 1892, Rizal founded the independence movement, Luga 
Filipina. By 1898, an armed struggle for independence had begun, and 
government officials accused Dr. Rizal of leading the charge. Following 
the circus-like spectacle of an unjust trial, Rizal was found guilty. 
On the evening of December 30, 1896, Dr. Rizal was executed by firing 
squad in what is now known in Manila as Rizal Park. The night before 
his scheduled execution, he wrote `Mi Ultimo Adios,' a heartrending and 
poignant poem as a last offering to the country and people he so loved.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and celebration 
of the influential life of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal. Dr. Rizal rose from 
the quiet life of a village doctor to become a beloved and courageous 
national hero of the Philippines--a man whose words blazed a trail of 
freedom throughout the Philippines. I also want to honor and recognize 
the leaders and members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Cleveland 
Chapter, for keeping the significant spirit of Dr. Jose Rizal alive for 
each new generation to know and understand. The life of Dr. Jose Rizal 
reflects an innate quest for freedom for all people, and highlights the 
ideology that despite the seemingly endless struggle, justice and 
liberty will rise.

                          ____________________