[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY (FANHS) LEADERS 
      DR. ALLAN BERGANO, EDWINA BERGANO, AND DOROTHY LAIGO CORDOVA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 3, 2026

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) leaders Dorothy 
Laigo Cordova, Dr. Allan Bergano, and Edwina Bergano.
  Known as the ``Mother'' of the Filipino American National Historical 
Society and the Filipino American civil rights movement, Dorothy Laigo 
Cordova co-founded FANHS with her late husband, Fred Cordova, in 1982 
as a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Filipino American 
history. For seven decades, she has worked to combat racism and ensure 
that the Filipino American story is recognized as an integral part of 
the American experience. FANHS was born out of frustration with the 
lack of accurate representation of Filipino Americans in mainstream 
history and has since grown to more than 40 chapters across the United 
States, including one in Hampton Roads. Dorothy's tireless efforts were 
instrumental in establishing Filipino American History Month, observed 
every October and recognized by President Obama in 2012.
  Dr. Allan Bergano and Edwina Bergano founded the Hampton Roads 
Chapter of FANHS in 1990. They are taking a much-deserved retirement 
after nearly 40 years of service and a shared commitment to 
intergenerational community leadership. The Hampton Roads Chapter is 
the oldest on the East Coast and focuses on preserving, documenting, 
and sharing the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the 
region.
  As the only present Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry, I have 
the privilege of representing this rich and vibrant Filipino American 
community in Hampton Roads while serving as co-chair of the U.S.-
Philippines Friendship Caucus. The region is home to the largest 
Filipino American population on the East Coast and several U.S. 
military bases. Many Filipinos immigrated to the area through service 
in the U.S. Navy or by working in the health professions.
  In closing, I thank Dorothy Laigo Cordova, Dr. Allan Bergano, and 
Edwina Bergano for the sacrifices they have made and the bridges they 
have built for the Filipino American community.

                          ____________________