[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING PHILIPPINES INDEPENDENCE DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Guam 
(Mr. Moylan) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, as a Pacific Islander, I wish to recognize 
the significance of June 12 as Philippines Independence Day and the 
relationship that the U.S. and the Philippines share.
  As a founding member of the United Nations and a member of many 
international global security organizations, the Philippines has long 
been a bastion of freedom in the Pacific as a close friend of the 
United States.
  It is well known that the horrors of World War II affected the entire 
world. In the Pacific, many island nations and territories were 
conquered by the Imperial Japanese forces and many suffered under their 
occupation.
  In the face of such harsh conditions, Pacific nations like the 
Philippines and territories like Guam preserved an unbreakable spirit 
that could not be rivaled.
  In 1945, Filipino guerrilla fighters, with the help of Allied forces, 
broke free of their shackles and forced their occupying forces away, 
despite 4 years of atrocities. Ever since then, the Philippines has 
been a bastion of freedom and an integral part of keeping the world 
safe.

  June 12, the day Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain in 
1898, represents more than just a free Philippines. It demonstrates to 
the world that an independent nation can withstand whatever challenges 
come its way.
  Yet, because of their unwavering commitment to the principles of 
freedom and democracy, the Philippine Government and people face daily 
harassment from the People's Republic of China.
  As the PRC continues to expand its military presence within the 
region, Pacific regions like the Philippines need our support. As gray 
zone attacks, like breaches of exclusive economic zones, cyber warfare, 
and maritime militias in the South China Sea, continue to increase, 
U.S. support for our friends in the Philippines is paramount to 
securing the Indo-Pacific.
  With the Philippines Independence Day this Wednesday, recognizing the 
Philippines' ongoing fight for freedom is the first step for securing 
the region and deterring aggression within the region.
  In light of such an important event and day, I wish a happy 
Independence Day to our friends in the Philippines who just crossed 
into the 12th of June, as well as an early happy Independence Day to 
those who celebrate in the United States.
  As co-chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I thank my 
colleagues whose continued support makes our alliance with the 
Philippines strong. Your support for H. Res. 837, Reaffirming the ties 
between the United States and the Philippines, as well as a resolution 
I will be introducing today to commemorate Philippines Independence 
Day, is vital for maintaining a free Pacific.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my fellow Members of Congress to cosponsor 
these two resolutions, and I wish a happy Independence Day to our 
friends in the Pacific.

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