[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13593-S13594]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING CENTENNIAL OF SUSTAINED IMMIGRATION FROM PHILIPPINES TO 
                             UNITED STATES

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 333 submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 333) 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I rise to speak about the resolution 
submitted today with the senior Senator from Hawaii; Dan Inouye. This 
resolution formally recognizes the 2006 centennial of Filipino 
immigration to Hawaii, acknowledges the contributions of the Filipino-
American community to our country, and celebrates the long and 
productive relationship between the Philippines and the United States.
  On December 20, 1906, the first Filipino ``sakadas,'' or farm 
workers, arrived at Honolulu Harbor. Over the years Filipino workers 
provided an invaluable service for Hawaiian sugarcane and pineapple 
plantations. Other Filipino immigrants who arrived on the West Coast 
contributed to the workforce on farms in California and Washington, 
lumber operations in the North West, and salmon canneries in Alaska. 
Three years earlier, following the passage of the Pensionado Act, about 
200 Filipino ``pensionados,'' or government scholars, were brought to 
the U.S. to receive an American education. Though many of the 
``sakadas'' and ``pensionados'' intended to return to the Philippines, 
a number of them stayed to become American citizens, forming the 
foundation of today's Filipino-American community.
  Despite being the second-largest Asian-American group in the United 
States, the story of the Filipino-American community is largely 
unknown. This resolution pays tribute to the sacrifice of Filipino-
Americans and their perseverance in the face of political, social, and 
ethnic adversity.
  Throughout our Nation, there are about 2.4 million Americans of 
Filipino ancestry. Hawaii has the second largest population of 
Filipino-Americans with 275,000 residing there today. Our country has 
benefitted greatly from the many accomplishments of the Filipino-
American community, in all areas of society.
  As a Nation with a rich immigrant heritage, it is only right that our 
country recognizes the struggles and triumphs experienced by the 
Filipino community. I would also like to commend my other colleagues in 
Hawaii's Congressional delegation, Representatives Ed Case and Neil 
Abercrombie, for sponsoring this resolution in the other body. I would 
like to thank my intern, Sylvia Wan, for her assistance in preparing 
this statement. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to 
honor the centennial of Filipino migration to Hawaii and their 
contributions to our country.
  Mr. SESSIONS. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and 
preamble be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the 
Record, without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 333) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

[[Page S13594]]

                              S. Res. 333

       Whereas the peoples of the Philippine archipelago have a 
     long and proud history, and 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 2 countries have been 
     strengthened through sustained immigration from the 
     Philippines to the United States;
       Whereas the 2000 census counted almost 2,400,000 Americans 
     of Filipino ancestry living in all parts of our country, 
     including the top 2 States, California, with almost 1,100,000 
     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 United States-Philippines 
     relationship;
       Whereas both the Filipino experience in the United States 
     and the resultant ties between our 2 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 200 
     ``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, That the Senate--
       (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) urges the people of the United States to observe this 
     milestone with appropriate celebratory and educational 
     programs, ceremonies and other activities.

                          ____________________