[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 159 (Tuesday, December 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H11343-H11347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CENTENNIAL OF SUSTAINED IMMIGRATION FROM PHILIPPINES TO 
  UNITED STATES AND ACKNOWLEDGING CONTRIBUTIONS OF FILIPINO-AMERICAN 
                               COMMUNITY

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 218) recognizing the centennial of 
sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and 
acknowledging the contributions of our Filipino-American community to 
our country over the last century.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 218

       Whereas the peoples of the Philippine archipelago have a 
     long and proud history, and

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     today, as the Republic of the Philippines, embrace democracy, 
     occupy a central strategic position in Asia and the Pacific, 
     and nurture a rich and diverse cultural heritage;
       Whereas the United States and the Philippines have enjoyed 
     a long and productive relationship, including the period of 
     United States governance between 1898 and 1946, and the 
     period post-independence starting in 1946, during which the 
     Philippines has taken its place among the community of 
     nations and has been one of our country's most loyal and 
     reliable allies internationally;
       Whereas the bonds between our two countries have been 
     strengthened through sustained immigration from the 
     Philippines to the United States;
       Whereas the 2000 census counted almost 2.4 million 
     Americans of Filipino ancestry living in all parts of our 
     country, including the top two States: California, with 
     almost 1.1 million Filipino Americans, and Hawaii, with some 
     275,000;
       Whereas the contributions of Filipino Americans to the 
     United States include achievement in all segments of our 
     society, including, to name a few, labor, business, politics, 
     medicine, media and the arts;
       Whereas Filipino Americans have especially served with 
     distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States 
     throughout the history of our long relationship, from World 
     Wars I and II through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the 
     Gulf War, and today in Afghanistan and Iraq;
       Whereas within the United States, Filipino Americans 
     retained many of their country's proud cultural traditions 
     and contribute immeasurably to the diverse tapestry of 
     today's American experience;
       Whereas Filipino Americans have also maintained close ties 
     to their friends and relatives in the Philippines and in 
     doing so play an indispensable role in maintaining the 
     strength and vitality of the U.S.-Philippines relationship;
       Whereas both the Filipino experience in the United States 
     and the resultant ties between our two great countries began 
     in earnest in 1906, when 15 Filipino contract laborers 
     arrived in the then-Territory of Hawaii to work on the 
     islands' sugar plantations, the beginnings of an emigration 
     from the Philippines to Hawaii which, during the subsequent 
     century, has sometimes exceeded 60,000 a year, making 
     Filipinos the largest immigrant group from the Asia-Pacific 
     region;
       Whereas 1906 also saw the first class of two hundred 
     ``pensionados'' arrive from the Philippines to obtain United 
     States educations with the intent of returning, although many 
     later became United States citizens and helped form the 
     foundation of today's Filipino-American community;
       Whereas the story of America's Filipino-American community 
     is little known and rarely told, yet is the quintessential 
     immigrant story of early struggle, pain, sacrifice, and 
     broken dreams, leading eventually to success in overcoming 
     ethnic, social, economic, political, and legal barriers to 
     win a well-deserved place in American society;
       Whereas our Filipino-American community will recognize a 
     century of achievement in the United States in 2006 through a 
     series of nationwide celebrations and memorials honoring the 
     centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines; and
       Whereas this centennial is for all Americans of whatever 
     ethnic origin to celebrate both with and in order to 
     understand and appreciate our Filipino-American community, 
     but also as a remembrance of the struggles and triumphs of 
     all of our predecessors and in honor of our common national 
     experience: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes the centennial of sustained immigration from 
     the Philippines to the United States;
       (2) acknowledges the achievements and contributions of 
     Filipino Americans over the past century; and
       (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to observe this 
     milestone with appropriate celebratory and educational 
     programs, ceremonies and other activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Cannon) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 218 introduced by 
the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case). This resolution would recognize 
the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the 
United States and acknowledge the contributions of our Filipino-
American community to our country over the last century.
  According to the 2000 census, there are 2.4 million Filipino-
Americans currently residing in the United States. Two of the most 
concentrated States being California with 1.1 million Filipino-
Americans and the State of Hawaii with over 250,000. The United States 
and the Philippines have built a lasting relationship starting with the 
period of United States governance between 1898 and 1946. After its 
independence in 1946, the Philippines have proven to be one of this 
country's most local international allies.
  The contributions to the United States of Filipino-Americans are seen 
in all facets of our society. They have served in the armed forces, in 
World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf 
War, and the current fight against terrorism in both Iraq and 
Afghanistan. Their rich culture and ideals have also surfaced in our 
society by their contributions to the arts, politics, medicine and many 
other areas.
  In December 2005, the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission in 
Hawaii will begin a year-long observance of the 100th anniversary of 
the first Filipino arrivals in the State. The first 15 Filipino 
immigrants arrived in Honolulu on December 6, 1906, and presently, the 
Filipino and part-Filipino component of the State population is now 
roughly 23 percent.
  More and more, Filipinos and Americans of Filipino ancestry are 
assuming positions of power and responsibility in the State and in the 
private sector. Filipinos have made their mark on United States soil 
since they started arriving 100 years ago, and the momentum continues 
to make that mark even greater and will continue to do so in the years 
to come.
  I urge all Members to join me in recognizing the numerous 
contributions that the Filipino-American population has made in the 
United States and celebrate the centennial of sustained immigration 
from the Philippines to the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), the sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, colleagues and fellow Americans, aloha and 
mabuhay.
  I rise today to provide richly deserved recognition in the Halls of 
our Nation's Congress for a great people and culture whose century-old 
journey on our shores has personified the very essence of our American 
experience. I speak in strong support of H. Con. Res. 218 which I 
introduced with the co-sponsorship of many like-minded colleagues to 
recognize the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines 
to our country and to acknowledge the incredible contributions of 
Filipino-Americans to our country over the last century. And I do so 
with great pride and deep humility as the representative of the 
congressional district with the most Filipino-Americans and the State 
with the largest percentage of Filipino-Americans nationally and with 
sincere gratitude to my cosponsors, to Government Reform Chair Davis 
and Ranking Member Waxman, to the gentlemen from Utah and Illinois, and 
to our collective leadership for bringing this measure to this floor 
expeditiously.
  Mr. Speaker, those whose heritage lies in the great archipelago of 
the Philippines have journeyed to our country and lived among us for 
centuries. But the modern day Filipino-American immigrant experience 
which has given rise to our current day Filipino-American community 
traces its roots to December 1906 when 15 Filipino contract laborers, 
or sakadas, arrived from Luzon aboard the ship Doric and began work in 
the sugar cane fields of Keaau on the Island of Hawaii.
  In the same year, the first class of pensionados arrived from the 
Philippines to gain an education with the intent of returning home, 
although many stayed on.
  These early sakada and pensionado roots sparked a sustained 
emigration from the Philippines to the United States which, over the 
last century, has numbered upwards of 60,000 a year, marking Filipinos 
as our second largest immigrant group from the Asia-Pacific region. 
Many continued to emigrate to Hawaii to work in the sugar

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fields. The Hawaii Sugar Planters Association records reflect over 
125,000 immigrants from the Philippines up to the year 1946 alone, and 
they form the base of today's 275,000 Filipino-Americans living in 
Hawaii, well over 20 percent of our total population. As previously 
noted, it is not just my State which has benefited from the growth and 
maturity of our Filipino-American community, which now numbers 2.4 
million nationwide, including 1.1 million in California alone.
  But it is in Hawaii where the full extent of the trials and 
tribulations and accomplishments and successes of Filipino-Americans 
has played out over the past century. Early generations worked long and 
back-breaking hours to bring the means to bring their families to 
Hawaii. And then those generations fought for basic rights and benefits 
on the plantations of Hawaii. And then they began to move beyond the 
plantations into other aspects of Hawaii society and to take advantage 
of the equalizing opportunity of education. And then those generations 
who benefited from the foundation of their forefathers built a broader 
base in the political, economic and social fabric of Hawaii until, a 
century later, the successes, both individually and collectively, are 
everywhere.
  Just some of the past few decades in Hawaii alone: Benjamin Cayetano, 
Governor; Benjamin Menor, Mario Ramil, and Simeon Acoba, justices of 
the Hawaii Supreme Court; Daniel Kihano and Robert Bunda, speaker of 
the Hawaii State House and Senate, respectively; Angela Baraquio, Miss 
America; Antonio Taguba, general, United States Army; Eduardo Malapit 
and Lorraine Rodero-Inouye, mayors; Emme Tomimbang, TV news anchor; 
Benny Agbayani, professional baseball player.
  These are just some of the more recognizable names, for Hawaii's 
Filipino-Americans are succeeding like their mainland counterparts 
throughout the full range of our society, from our military where 
Filipino-Americans have demonstrated decades of bravery and loyalty to 
our country and have one of the highest enlistment rates, to the 
professions, entertainment, business and well beyond.
  Last weekend, Hawaii's Filipino-American community and its many 
admirers and friends kicked off a yearlong celebration of its 
centennial under the leadership of the Filipino Centennial Celebration 
Commission, Elias Beniga, chair. This weekend, we will dedicate a 
marker to the original sakadas at Keaau, where it all began. And 
nationally, our Smithsonian is undertaking a yearly celebration as 
well, titled the Filipino American Story, a Century of Challenge and 
Change, with commemorative events, exhibits and educational 
opportunities here in Washington, D.C., and at other sites nationally.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure that neither the original sakadas nor many who 
followed them here could have envisioned what the last century reaped 
for them and theirs, nor that we would all stand here today and over 
the next year to commemorate an incredible century, nor that we would 
collectively look forward with such eager anticipation to the story our 
Filipino-American community will write over the next century. Yet that 
is exactly what we are doing and should do for this is the story not 
just of Filipino-Americans, but the story of our America. Mahalo, dios 
ti agnina, and salamat po.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, 2006 marks the centennial anniversary of sustained 
immigration from the Philippines which demonstrates a warm friendship 
between the two nations on opposite ends of the world. The Philippines 
and the United States have enjoyed a long history of friendship and 
cooperation, including nearly a half century of American control of the 
archipelago which came to a close in 1947.
  Now independent, the Philippines remain one of our strongest allies 
in the Asian-Pacific region. In 1906, a handful of sugar cane workers 
immigrated from the Philippines to the then U.S. territory of Hawaii. 
Later that year, the first group of pensionados arrived to earn degrees 
from American institutions. Some pensionados returned home to the 
Philippines to apply their knowledge, but many remained in the United 
States. Combined with the influx of sugar cane workers, these Filipino 
immigrants established a vibrant Filipino-American community.
  A century of sustained immigration has persisted since 1906, and in 
some years, more than 60,000 Filipinos have immigrated to the United 
States. Hawaii and California house the majority of the nearly 2.5 
million Filipinos who live in the United States, although strong 
communities thrive in other parts of our Nation, such as New York, New 
Jersey and Chicago.
  Filipino-Americans now represent the largest immigrant community from 
the Asia-Pacific region who live in the United States. Filipino-
Americans have made major contributions to the arts, labor, business, 
politics, medicine, media and other areas.
  In addition, Filipino-Americans have served with honor in the United 
States Armed Forces in every war since World War I. They are a valued 
part of American society.
  So I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of the centennial 
anniversary of sustained immigration of Filipinos to the United States. 
Let us also recognize the vibrant history of the Filipino-American 
community in the United States. Their sustained immigration truly marks 
a century of achievement, and I commend the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. 
Case) for seeking to recognize the contributions of this great part of 
our population.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support and as a 
cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 218, a resolution that 
recognizes the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines 
to the United States and acknowledges the contributions of our 
Filipino-American community to our country over the last century. The 
mark that the Filipino-American community has made on my district is 
immeasurable. It is a privilege to live with and to serve such a 
culturally rich and vibrant community.
  As the premier gateway from Asia, the Bay Area has been the starting 
point for many Filipino immigrants in America. I am truly proud that 
many Filipino-Americans decided to make the Bay Area their permanent 
home. I represent one of the largest populations of Filipino-Americans 
in the United States, and I would like to recognize two of the many 
shining lights from our community.
  Mr. Speaker, my dear friend Alice Bulos has worked tirelessly in the 
community at large and with the Filipino-American community in 
particular. After immigrating to the United States in the late 1970's, 
Alice became an outspoken leader among Filipino-Americans. She 
tirelessly worked to urge Filipino-Americans to become politically 
active. With her husband, she founded the Filipino American Grassroots 
Movement, a voter registration drive that sought to involve Filipinos 
in the political process.
  Alice became one of the most visible members of the community when 
she was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Federal Council 
on Aging in 1993. In 1998, she was again called upon to serve on the 
Commission on the Status of Women by the San Mateo County board of 
Supervisors. Earlier this year, the board appointed her to another 
term.
  I am proud to count Alice as a friend, and her work has made the 
Peninsula a better place and strengthened the Filipino-American 
community throughout the United States.
  Alex Esclamado left his homeland to pursue a better life and has been 
inspirational in my district and across America with his newspaper, the 
Philippine News. Mr. Esclamado began publishing the paper out of his 
garage, and from the beginning has worked to publish original content 
with staff-written reports. His operation has grown by leaps and 
bounds. He no longer drives across the country handing out his 
newspaper; the Philippine News is now available for delivery in 47 
states and is distributed through retailers in many of the largest 
cities in the nation. I am proud to say that the newspaper calls my 
district home.
  Mr. Speaker, these are but two of the many extraordinary individuals 
in the Filipino-American community. The vibrancy of my district can be 
directly attributed to our diversity, and I am

[[Page H11346]]

proud to celebrate 100 years of sustained immigration that has so 
influenced the Bay Area and all of the United States. I urge all of my 
colleagues to join me in stridently supporting this legislation.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 218, which recognizes the centennial of sustained 
immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledges 
the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country 
over the last century. What started out as a few hundred migrant farm 
workers in California and Hawaii has grown into the second largest Asia 
Pacific American ethnic group in the United States today, and a 
cornerstone of the foundation of our nation.
  Since they first set foot in the United States in 1587, Filipinos 
have made extraordinary contributions to our nation's economy, history, 
politics, and culture. Larry Itliong and the often overlooked Filipino 
farm workers worked hand-in-hand with Cesar Chavez to form the United 
Farm Workers. Together, they were responsible for the movement that 
improved working conditions for farm workers in California, and indeed 
throughout our nation. Former Los Angeles Rams Quarterback, Roman 
Gabriel, actor Rob Schneider, and Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as 
Apl of the Black Eyed Peas, are just some of the Filipino-Americans who 
continue to raise the profile of Filipino-Americans in the fields of 
athletics, arts and entertainment. On my home island of Guam, Filipino-
Americans are important leaders in our business community, several have 
served in our local legislature, and countless others have served in 
the U.S. Armed Forces.
  Today, the contributions of the Filipino-American community remain 
strong throughout the United States, and are particularly evident in 
the Pacific Islands that are a part of the American family. Filipino-
Americans have made the most out of the last 100 years since their 
ancestors arrived in Hawaii. They have moved up from the sugarcane 
plantations to assume prominent positions in public office. They have, 
at various times, served as Members of the Hawaii House of 
Representatives, State Senators, Cabinet Members, an even Governors.
  However, perhaps the most significant Filipino-Americans are the 
working professionals who continue to provide for their families while 
lending their strength to the community at large. They are teachers and 
farmers, lawyers and medical professionals whose work ethic and 
determination truly embody the spirit of the American dream.
  At a time when we are proud to stand up and say that we are American, 
we must not overlook the individual pieces upon which our nation 
stands. The contributions of the Filipino-American community to our 
country are significant, and it is right that we salute all that they 
have done for our nation.
  On this occasion, let us recognize the historical significance of 
sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States. On 
Guam, I want to say ``Maraming Salmat Po'' to our Filipino-American 
community. Today, the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) is an 
organization comprised of over 70 individual community groups through 
which several thousand Filipino-Americans contribute to our island. I 
join my colleagues in recognizing and honoring their accomplishments, 
and those of their Kababayan throughout the United States.
  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for H. Con. Res. 218, recognizing the centennial of sustained 
immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledging 
the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country 
over the last century.
  The United States and the Philippines have a relationship full of 
tradition and history and both countries have a shared commitment to 
global peace, security, and prosperity. Currently, there are over 2 
million Filipino-Americans, the second largest Asian-American community 
in the U.S. These Filipino-Americans have made significant 
contributions in many areas including education, religion, business, 
labor, and the arts.
  Dating back to World War II, when the United States and the 
Philippines fought side by side against Japan in the Pacific, Filipino-
Americans have served with dignity and bravery in the United States 
Armed Forces. Today, many Filipino-American soldiers are fighting 
overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  The Philippines is working closely with the United States to win the 
global war on terror. Ongoing Philippines initiatives to improve and 
expand international counterterrorism cooperation encourage even better 
levels of communication between our two countries.
  I will continue to work with leaders in the Filipino-American 
community to ensure that relations between the United States and the 
Philippines continue to grow and prosper in the 21st Century. I urge 
all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 218.
  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 218, 
a resolution recognizing the centennial of sustained immigration from 
the Philippines to the United States and acknowledging the 
contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country over 
the last century.
  Filipinos, as part of the Spanish galleons, first reached America as 
early as 1587, landing in Morro Bay, California. In 1763, the first 
permanent Filipino settlement was established in Southern Louisiana 
near Barataria Bay.
  A mass emigration of Filipinos to the United States began in 1906. 
Some Filipinos known as pensionados or government scholars came for the 
purpose of furthering their education and training in the United 
States, but most were poor Filipinos who came to work for Hawaii 
sugarcane and pineapple plantations, California and Washington 
asparagus farms, Washington lumber and Alaska salmon canneries.
  Today there are over 2,300,000 Filipino Americans living in the 
United States. They and their forebears have made countless economic, 
cultural, social and other notable contributions to our nation.
  They, for example, played pivotal roles as labor leaders organizing 
unions and strategic strikes to improve working and living conditions 
in the 1920's. Filipinos have influenced the corporate landscape as 
CEOs and computer software engineers. Filipinos have won Olympic gold 
medals as members of U.S. Olympic teams and served as Miss America. 
Furthermore, Filipinos have made strides politically, helping to 
increase the diversity of America's leadership. Benjamin J. Cayetano, 
in 1994, became the first Filipino American and only the second Asian 
Pacific Islander American elected Governor of a state of the Union.
  In addition to these contributions, we should also recognize 
Filipinos who answered President Franklin D. Roosevelt's call to arms 
in World War II. At the war's outbreak, Filipino Americans were barred 
from joining the armed forces. But in 1942, President Franklin D. 
Roosevelt issued a military order calling all organized military forces 
of the government of the Philippines into the service of the armed 
forces of the United States. Filipinos responded, serving under 
direction of the United States' Military and fighting side by side with 
the Americans in Europe and Asia. Other Filipinos contributed as 
civilians involved in the mobilization efforts during the war. At the 
end of the war, Filipinos had earned the acceptance and admiration of 
the American public.
  The Filipino veterans fought with gallantry under the most difficult 
conditions during the war and played a heroic role in defending freedom 
under the American Flag. However, the Recession Act of 1946 diverted 
Filipino soldiers of the veteran status and, consequently, the 
veterans' benefits. The Immigration Act of 1990 gave 150,000 Filipino 
veterans of World War II the opportunity to migrate to the United 
States and a chance to fulfill an American Dream as promised by 
President Roosevelt. Although this is a step in the right direction, 
granting equitable benefits for Filipinos that fought with America in 
World War II would be an excellent way to recognize contributions 
Filipino-Americans have made to our country, since we all benefit from 
the freedom won in that war.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important piece of legislation.
  Mr. FARR. I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 218 that 
commemorates the substantial achievements of Filipino-Americans to our 
nation's history. My district, comprised of Santa Cruz, Monterey and 
San Benito counties in California, owes a particularly large debt to 
the Filipino-American community.
  Starting in the late 1890's, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino farm 
laborers were the engine for the development and growth of the Salinas 
Valley agricultural industry. Farm labor work on strawberry and peach 
farms was often back-breaking; laborers rose at dawn and worked until 
dusk, and were generally paid very poorly.
  Additionally, Filipino immigrants were often treated horribly and 
harshly discriminated against. Filipino farm workers formed the first 
organized group in the early history of the United Farm Workers Union. 
Despite these deplorable working conditions and societal obstacles, 
over the last hundred years, Filipino-Americans on the Central Coast of 
California have enriched the quality of life for all Californians and 
for our nation as a whole. For example, the Filipino Community Club of 
the Monterey Peninsula is an energetic non-profit community based 
centers in my district and serves as a cultural and civic hub for 
Filipinos living on the Central Coast.
  I am proud to represent a large and vibrant Filipino population and 
commend their centennial of accomplishments to the United States. 
Mabuhay!

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion

[[Page H11347]]

offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 218.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________