[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 148 (Thursday, September 29, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 598--DESIGNATING OCTOBER 2016 AS ``FILIPINO AMERICAN 
                            HISTORY MONTH''

  Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Schumer, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Kaine, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Blumenthal, 
Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Franken, and Ms. Murkowski) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 598

       Whereas the earliest documented Filipino presence in the 
     continental United States was October 18, 1587, when the 
     first ``Luzones Indios'' arrived in Morro Bay, California, on 
     board the Nuestra Senora de Esperanza, a Manila-built galleon 
     ship;
       Whereas the Filipino American National Historical Society 
     recognizes 1763 as the year in which the first permanent 
     Filipino settlement in the United States was established in 
     St. Malo, Louisiana;
       Whereas the recognition of the first permanent Filipino 
     settlement in the United States adds a new perspective to 
     United States history by bringing attention to the economic, 
     cultural, social, and other notable contributions made by 
     Filipino Americans to the development of the United States;
       Whereas, with a population of approximately 3,898,739 
     individuals, the Filipino American community is the second 
     largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the 
     United States;
       Whereas from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan 
     conflicts, Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have 
     a longstanding history of serving in the Armed Forces;
       Whereas more than 250,000 Filipinos fought under the United 
     States flag during World War II to protect and defend the 
     United States in the Pacific theater;
       Whereas, as of June 2016, certain family members of 
     Filipino World War II veterans who are United States citizens 
     or lawful permanent residents may apply through the Filipino 
     World War II Veterans Parole Program of the United States 
     Citizenship and Immigration Services for parole into the 
     United States to reunite with their families before their 
     immigrant visas become available;
       Whereas, in July 2016, the Senate passed by unanimous 
     consent S. 1555 (114th Congress), a bill to award to Filipino 
     veterans who fought alongside United States troops in World 
     War II the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, a 
     recognition for which Filipino World War II veterans have 
     waited more than 70 years;
       Whereas Filipino Americans continue to demonstrate a 
     commendable sense of patriotism and honor;
       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 on an 
     individual serving in the Armed Forces;
       Whereas the late Thelma Garcia Buchholdt, born in Claveria, 
     Cagayan, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines--
       (1) moved with her family to Alaska in 1965;
       (2) was elected to the House of Representatives of Alaska 
     in 1974;
       (3) was the first Filipino woman elected to a State 
     legislature; and
       (4) authored a comprehensive history book entitled 
     ``Filipinos in Alaska: 1788-1958'';
       Whereas Filipino American farmworkers and labor leaders 
     such as Philip Vera Cruz and Larry Itliong played an integral 
     role in the multiethnic United Farm Workers movement 
     alongside Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and other Latino 
     workers;
       Whereas Filipino Americans play an integral role in the 
     United States healthcare system as nurses, doctors, and other 
     medical professionals;
       Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to 
     music, dance, literature, education, business, journalism, 
     sports, fashion, politics, government, science, technology, 
     the fine arts, and other fields that enrich the landscape of 
     the United States;
       Whereas, as mandated in the mission statement of the 
     Filipino American National Historical Society, efforts should 
     continue to promote the study of Filipino American history 
     and culture because the roles of Filipino Americans and other 
     people of color have largely 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 Filipino American 
     youth--
       (1) the significance of education, complemented by the 
     richness of Filipino American ethnicity; and
       (2) the value of the Filipino American legacy; and
       Whereas Filipino American History Month is celebrated 
     during the month of October 2016: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates October 2016 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 to reflect on and remember the many notable 
     contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United 
     States; and
       (C) a time to renew efforts toward the research and 
     examination of history and culture so as to provide an 
     opportunity for all people of the United States--
       (i) to learn more about Filipino Americans; and
       (ii) to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino 
     Americans 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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