[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              IN HONOR OF FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

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                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2011

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, together with the Congressional Asian 
Pacific American Caucus, I rise today in honor of Filipino American 
History Month.
  Based on the 2010 Census there are approximately 3.417 million 
Filipino Americans in the United States, making them the third largest 
Asian American group. Filipino Americans reside in nearly every 
Congressional district in the United States, contributing to the 
diversity and vitality of their communities. The largest population of 
Filipino Americans resides in California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, 
New York, Texas and Washington State. In my district of American Samoa, 
the Filipino population has greatly contributed to the diversity of 
culture, the business community, as well as health, education, and 
social service sectors.
  The earliest documented proof of Filipinos in the Continental United 
States was on October 18, 1587, when the ship Nuestra Senora de 
Esperanza under the command of Pedro de Unamuno set ashore in Central 
California during the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade era. In 1988, on 
the 225th Anniversary of this historic date, the Filipino American 
National Historical Society established a year-long, national 
observance in order to honor the countless ways that Filipino Americans 
have contributed to the development of our nation over the centuries. 
That year, the Society also declared October as Filipino American 
History Month.
  Immigration from the Philippine islands in the early 1900s 
represented the first large wave of Filipinos coming to America as they 
worked in the agricultural industry. During World War II, over 250,000 
Filipinos served alongside American soldiers in the United States 
military. The Immigration Act of 1965 opened the door for the next wave 
of Filipinos coming to the U.S.
  Today, Filipino Americans are part of every sector of American life, 
working in health, entertainment, engineering, education, military and 
the public sector. In the realm of government, for example, my dear 
friend and colleague and fellow member of CAPAC, Congressman Bobby 
Scott of Virginia, earned the distinction in 1993 of being the first 
American with Filipino ancestry to serve as a voting member of 
Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, economically, culturally, and socially, Filipino 
Americans have contributed in countless ways toward the development of 
our nation. Today we honor the Filipino American community, those who 
have served and those who continue to add to the vibrancy and strength 
of our great nation.

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