[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 5, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S6226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 287--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 2011 AS ``FILIPINO AMERICAN 
                            HISTORY MONTH''

  Mr. REID of Nevada (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. 
Akaka, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. 
Murray, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Heller) submitted the following resolution; 
which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 287

       Whereas 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, marks the earliest 
     documented Filipino presence in the continental United 
     States;
       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, Louisiana;
       Whereas the recognition of the first permanent Filipino 
     settlement in the United States adds new perspective to 
     United States history by bringing attention to the economic, 
     cultural, social, and other notable contributions that 
     Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward the 
     development of the United States;
       Whereas the Filipino-American community is the third 
     largest Asian-American group in the United States, with a 
     population of approximately 3,417,000 individuals;
       Whereas Filipino-American servicemen and servicewomen have 
     a longstanding history of serving in the Armed Forces, from 
     the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, 
     including the 250,000 Filipinos who fought under the United 
     States flag during World War II to protect and defend the 
     United States;
       Whereas 9 Filipino Americans have received the 
     Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in 
     action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an 
     individual serving in the Armed Forces;
       Whereas Filipino Americans play an integral role in the 
     United States health care system as nurses, doctors, and 
     other medical professionals;
       Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to 
     music, dance, literature, education, business, literature, 
     journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, science, 
     technology, the fine arts, and other fields in the United 
     States that enrich the landscape of the country;
       Whereas efforts should 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 largely 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 significance 
     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 2011: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 2011 as ``Filipino American History 
     Month'';
       (2) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History 
     Month as--
       (A) a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans;
       (B) a time of reflection and remembrance of the many 
     notable contributions Filipino Americans have made to the 
     United States; and
       (C) 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 United States; and
       (3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
     Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and 
     activities.

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