[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 161 (Monday, November 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H12172-H12174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 780) recognizing the celebration of Filipino 
American History Month in October.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 780

       Whereas the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence 
     in the continental United States was the date of October 18, 
     1587, when the first ``Luzones Indios'' set foot in Morro 
     Bay, California, on board the Manila-built galleon ship 
     Nuestra Senora de Esperanza;
       Whereas the Filipino American National Historical Society 
     recognizes the year of 1763 as the date of the first 
     permanent Filipino settlement in the United States in St. 
     Malo Parrish, Louisiana, which set in motion the focus on the 
     story of our Nation's past from a new perspective by 
     concentrating on the economic, cultural, social, and other 
     notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made in 
     countless ways toward the development of the history of the 
     United States;
       Whereas the Filipino American community is the second 
     largest Asian American group in the United States with a 
     population of approximately 3,100,000 people;
       Whereas Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have 
     a longstanding history serving within the Armed Services of 
     the United States, from the Civil War to the present Iraq and 
     Afghanistan conflicts, including the 250,000 Filipinos who 
     fought under the United States flag during World War II to 
     protect and defend this country;
       Whereas Filipino Americans are an integral part of the 
     United States healthcare system as nurses, doctors, and other 
     medical professionals;
       Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to the 
     fine arts, music, dance, literature, education, business, 
     literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, 
     government, science, technology, and other fields in the 
     United States which enrich the landscape of the country;
       Whereas efforts must continue to promote the study of 
     Filipino American history and culture, as mandated in the 
     mission statement of the Filipino American National 
     Historical Society, because the roles of Filipino Americans 
     and other people of color have been overlooked in the 
     writing, teaching, and learning of United States history;
       Whereas it is imperative for Filipino American youth to 
     have positive role models to instill in them the importance 
     of education, complemented with the richness of their 
     ethnicity and the value of their legacy; and
       Whereas Filipino American History Month is celebrated 
     during the month of October: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History 
     Month as a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans, as 
     a time of reflection and remembrance, and as a time to renew 
     efforts toward the research and examination of history and 
     culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in 
     the United States to learn and appreciate more about Filipino 
     Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation; and
       (2) urges the people of the United States to observe 
     Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
McHenry) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.


                             General Leave

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and add any extraneous materials.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Massachusetts?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am proud to present H. Res. 780 for consideration. This 
resolution recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History 
Month.
  House Resolution 780 was introduced on September 25, 2009, by my 
friend and colleague Representative Bob Filner of California. In 
addition, this resolution was favorably reported out of the Oversight 
Committee by unanimous consent on October 29, 2009, and it enjoys the 
support of over 50 Members of Congress. Moreover, the United States 
Senate passed a companion resolution to this legislation, Senate 
Resolution 298, by unanimous consent on October 1, 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 780 recognizes the celebration of 
Filipino American History Month as a unique opportunity to reflect upon 
the significant advancements of Filipino Americans in our country as 
well as highlight the countless and diverse contributions of Filipino 
Americans to our national history and culture.
  This monthlong celebration of Filipino American History Month was 
established in 1988 by the Filipino American National Historical 
Society to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the permanent 
settlement of Filipinos in the continental United States.
  Notably, the Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes 
the year 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in 
the continental United States in the small fishing village of Saint 
Malo, located in what is now Saint Bernard Parish in Louisiana. These 
early settlers were formerly impressed sailors who escaped their 
oppressive conditions aboard Spanish galleons to establish a Filipino 
community in present-day Louisiana. The existence of this Filipino 
settlement was first reported in an 1883 Harper's Weekly article, which 
is widely believed to be the first article written about Filipino 
settlers in these United States.
  Today, according to the most recent United States Census Bureau 
estimate, the Filipino American population in the United States is 
nearly 3.1 million, making the Filipino American community the second 
largest Asian American group in the United States. And while the 
majority of our Filipino American population is concentrated in the 
States of California and Hawaii, Filipino contributions in the field of 
public service, literature, business, science and other areas have 
deeply enriched the lives of all Americans across our Nation.
  Whether we recall the approximately 250,000 brave Filipino Americans 
that served during World War II, or our Filipino Americans deployed in 
the support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom 
in Afghanistan, our brave Filipino American servicemen and -women have 
continually demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding our Nation at 
great personal sacrifice.
  Accordingly, I would like to thank the sponsor of this resolution, my 
friend and colleague Mr. Filner of California, for his great work as 
chairman of our Veterans' Affairs Committee and for ensuring that the 
economic stimulus legislation signed by President Obama earlier this 
year included a provision which required that our roughly 15,000 living 
Filipino veterans of World War II receive their full and deserved 
veterans benefits.
  The contributions of Filipino Americans to our national history are 
also evident in various other areas, including government and 
journalism. Notably, in 1994, Benjamin J. Cayetano became the first 
Filipino American elected a United States Governor. And in 1997, 
Filipino American journalists Byron Acohido and Alex Tizon of The 
Seattle Times were the recipients of Pulitzer Prizes for their 
outstanding contributions to American journalism.
  Mr. Tizon, a native of Manila who came to the United States at the 
age of 4, was honored for a series of investigative articles about the 
widespread corruption and inequities in the Federally sponsored housing 
program for Native Americans. Mr. Acohido received his Pulitzer for his 
reporting on the conditions of the American aerospace industry.
  Mr. Speaker, these are only a few of the many Filipino Americans 
whose achievements have greatly contributed to our national history. It 
is my hope that we can commemorate the contributions of all Filipino 
Americans

[[Page H12173]]

through the passage of House Resolution 780 and by recognizing the 
significance of Filipino American History Month.
  I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting H. Res. 780.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McHENRY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

                              {time}  1630

  I rise today in support of this legislation and the two other 
commemorating resolutions the Oversight and Government Reform Committee 
has put forth for consideration today on the House floor.
  I believe Congress should instead, though, be focusing on high-
priority initiatives. We are facing record unemployment deficits that 
threaten to bankrupt this country and a stimulus that is failing to 
create new jobs, yet this Congress is considering legislation that is 
not a high priority for the American people. The Congress should be 
considering legislation that provides a real and immediate economic 
solution for the American people before naming and commemorating 
resolutions.
  But I do rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of this resolution in 
celebration of Filipino American History Month. We have all seen the 
countless ways in which these Filipino Americans have advanced our 
Nation politically, economically and culturally. Filipino Americans 
have significantly contributed to this country through arts, science, 
math, sports, commerce and every other aspect of American culture since 
they first arrived in the 16th century.
  During World War II, over 200,000 Filipinos served in our U.S. 
military. They served in a variety of roles, such as the Philippine 
Scouts, the Philippine Commonwealth Army under U.S. command and as 
guerrillas during the Japanese occupation of their islands. The history 
of our country has shown that Filipino Americans have strengthened the 
United States in all facets of our growth and development. Over 3 
million Americans have traced their lineage to the Philippines, making 
them the second-largest Asian American group in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. But I do want to 
point out that the reason we are here, dealing with noncontroversial 
items and commemorative items, in fact, is because the House is not 
scheduled to take up votes, according to the calendar, until 6:30. So 
we use this time to take up matters that are noncontroversial, and we 
postpone votes so that Members can come in during the day. They are 
flying in during the process.
  So this is a regularly scheduled event here. This is when we take up 
matters that are noncontroversial, such as this one, which recognizes 
the importance of Filipino Americans. This is important to the Filipino 
American community. It is very, very important and well deserved. I 
think it is appropriate at a time like this to take the time to 
recognize their accomplishments and for being an important part of our 
Nation's history and our culture.
  I resent the fact that the inference has been made here that somehow 
we are using valuable time in the House when this particular time has 
been segmented so as to not interrupt the important business to be 
taken up later in the week. We are taking this time now, while Members 
are flying in and we don't have a full quorum, to address these 
commemorative issues. We will be in for the full week, so we'll have 
plenty of time to take those other matters up when the House is fully 
assembled.
  Again, I have no further speakers, but I will continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. McHENRY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would say in response to my colleague, I certainly 
appreciate the substance of this resolution. It is important. However, 
my colleague's characterization that this is only one day that we do 
suspensions here in the House actually doesn't comport with the reality 
that we've faced over the last few weeks in the House of 
Representatives.
  On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, the House of 
Representatives considered suspension items, which are noncontroversial 
pieces of legislation, many of which are commemorating in nature and 
are certainly important to the Members and to the group they're 
commemorating, absolutely. I agree. But we do have major work that we 
must contend with, and that was certainly the reason why I started this 
discussion by saying that we should be dealing with real major economic 
issues as a Congress and take those very seriously and, adding further, 
that the stimulus has failed our people, and I think we should be 
working to fix that, rather than simply to commemorate or change the 
building names of different Federal agencies and different governmental 
buildings.
  I certainly appreciate my colleague's comments, but we certainly have 
a different focus on that matter and that characterization, although I 
would say that I share the same focus as my colleague from 
Massachusetts, and that is trying to do what's right for the American 
people. I certainly appreciate his work in that regard as well.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, the point I was making is that this time, 
this time right now, has been reserved for this purpose specifically; 
and this is a regular occasion during the week that we do this. Again, 
while we have extended a courtesy to Members of the Republican side, 
from the minority, so that they would know when votes are expected on 
the floor, and we have put that to a time certain.
  The reason that we are dealing with ceremonial matters, commemorative 
matters here, is because Members are not all in the District of 
Columbia right now; they're not all in Washington. They are traveling 
here. This is a matter of courtesy, a courtesy extended to the minority 
Members so that when matters of contest and of dispute might arise, 
they would be here in full numbers, having the full opportunity to 
debate those matters.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support 
H. Res. 780, which I introduced along with several of my colleagues on 
the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus.
  H. Res. 780 recognizes Filipino American History Month, which was in 
October, and celebrates the heritage and culture of Filipino Americans 
and their immense contributions to our nation.
  The Filipino American National Historical Society established 
Filipino American History Month in 1988. However, the U.S. House of 
Representatives has never recognized Filipino American History Month.
  Consideration of H. Res. 780 is long overdue.
  I am pleased to honor the Filipino American community and pay tribute 
to the extraordinary contributions that Filipinos make to this nation. 
Filipino Americans have been part of the American experience, 
confronting many difficult challenges while being resolute and 
steadfast in their cultural heritage.
  Today, we honor Filipino Americans, from farm workers to nurses and 
doctors to the brave and courageous soldiers who fought shoulder-to-
shoulder with American servicemen. This country is indebted to the 
Filipino veterans of World War II for their extraordinary sacrifices.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me in honoring the history, 
culture, and contribution of Filipino Americans in the United States by 
supporting this important resolution.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. 
Res. 780, which recognizes and celebrates Filipino American History 
Month in October.
  The first Filipino in the United States arrived at Morro Bay, 
California, on October 18, 1587 in the Manila-built galleon, Nuestra 
Senora de Esperanza. In 1763, the first permanent Filipino settlement 
was established in the United States in St. Malo Parrish, Louisiana. 
For over 200 years, since before the founding of our great country, 
Filipino Americans have made varied contributions to American culture 
and society in countless ways.
  Today, there are more than 3 million Filipino Americans and persons 
of Filipino ancestry living in the United States, including nearly 
6,000 in my own 9th Congressional district in Houston, Texas. Filipino 
Americans count among their community prominent politicians, artists, 
businessmen, athletes, scientists, educators, writers, television 
personalities, scholars, and entertainers. Moreover, they are people 
who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of our country. 
Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have a longstanding 
history of serving in the Armed Services of the United States, from the 
Civil War to the present Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including more 
than 250,000 Filipinos who valiantly

[[Page H12174]]

fought under the United States flag during World War II.
  Notwithstanding their contributions to America, we must continue to 
promote the study of Filipino American history and culture because of 
the important roles that Filipino Americans and other people of color 
have played in United States history. It is my hope that through this 
House Resolution, we can renew our commitment to ensuring that Filipino 
Americans and people of color are given their due recognition for their 
contributions to our nation.
  I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 780 to honor our nation's 
Filipino Americans and our shared history with this community in the 
United States. Filipino Americans have altered America, their 
contributions are documented and forever enshrined in our history, and 
they deserve our recognition for the countless ways in which they make 
America great.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 780, 
legislation introduced by my colleague, Congressman Bob Filner of 
California. H. Res 780 recognizes the celebration of Filipino-American 
History Month and the important contributions made by the Filipino-
American community throughout our Nation's history. Filipino-Americans 
have contributed to all facets of American society and have enriched 
our Nation with their lives and achievements.
  Guam is home to a large population of Filipino-Americans who are 
active in all sectors of our community. Filipino-Americans have 
contributed to the economic, cultural and social success of Guam and 
have long played a part in the development of our island. The 
Philippines are culturally and historically linked to our community on 
Guam.
  I would like to recognize the Filipino Community of Guam, an umbrella 
organization representing over fifty groups, working together for the 
benefit of our island. I also commend the Filipino Community of Guam 
for mobilizing and organizing relief efforts for the Filipino flood 
victims affected by this past year's natural disasters. Numerous 
members of the Guam Filipino community maintain close ties to their 
relatives in the Philippines and were eager to help those in need.
  As a member of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus and the 
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus I join my colleagues in 
urging a ``yes'' vote on H. Res 780.
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 780.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________