[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E980]
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

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  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, focused 
on freedom, continue to inspire and energize the people of the 
Philippines, and Filipino Americans as well.
  During the 1800's Filipinos 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 written 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 circuslike 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 the poem `Mi Ultimo Adios,' a 
heartrending and poignant expression of his abiding love for the people 
and country of the Phillipines.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of the 2006 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 inevitably rise.

                          ____________________