[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21] [House] [Pages 28000-28004] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING CENTENNIAL OF SUSTAINED IMMIGRATION FROM PHILIPPINES TO UNITED STATES AND ACKNOWLEDGING CONTRIBUTIONS OF FILIPINO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 218) recognizing the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledging the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country over the last century. The Clerk read as follows: H. Con. Res. 218 Whereas the peoples of the Philippine archipelago have a long and proud history, and today, as the Republic of the Philippines, embrace democracy, occupy a central strategic position in Asia and the Pacific, and nurture a rich and diverse cultural heritage; Whereas the United States and the Philippines have enjoyed a long and productive relationship, including the period of United States governance between 1898 and 1946, and the period post-independence starting in 1946, during which the Philippines has taken its place among the community of nations and has been one of our country's most loyal and reliable allies internationally; Whereas the bonds between our two countries have been strengthened through sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States; Whereas the 2000 census counted almost 2.4 million Americans of Filipino ancestry living in all parts of our country, including the top two States: California, with almost 1.1 million Filipino Americans, and Hawaii, with some 275,000; Whereas the contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States include achievement in all segments of our society, including, to name a few, labor, business, politics, medicine, media and the arts; Whereas Filipino Americans have especially served with distinction in the Armed Forces of the United States throughout the history of our long relationship, from World Wars I and II through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and today in Afghanistan and Iraq; Whereas within the United States, Filipino Americans retained many of their country's proud cultural traditions and contribute immeasurably to the diverse tapestry of today's American experience; Whereas Filipino Americans have also maintained close ties to their friends and relatives in the Philippines and in doing so play an indispensable role in maintaining the strength and vitality of the U.S.-Philippines relationship; Whereas both the Filipino experience in the United States and the resultant ties between our two great countries began in earnest in 1906, when 15 Filipino contract laborers arrived in the then-Territory of Hawaii to work on the islands' sugar plantations, the beginnings of an emigration from the Philippines to Hawaii which, during the subsequent century, has sometimes exceeded 60,000 a year, making Filipinos the largest immigrant group from the Asia-Pacific region; Whereas 1906 also saw the first class of two hundred ``pensionados'' arrive from the Philippines to obtain United States educations with the intent of returning, although many later became United States citizens and helped form the foundation of today's Filipino-American community; Whereas the story of America's Filipino-American community is little known and rarely told, yet is the quintessential immigrant story of early struggle, pain, sacrifice, and broken dreams, leading eventually to success in overcoming ethnic, social, economic, political, and legal barriers to win a well-deserved place in American society; Whereas our Filipino-American community will recognize a century of achievement in the United States in 2006 through a series of nationwide celebrations and memorials honoring the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines; and Whereas this centennial is for all Americans of whatever ethnic origin to celebrate [[Page 28001]] both with and in order to understand and appreciate our Filipino-American community, but also as a remembrance of the struggles and triumphs of all of our predecessors and in honor of our common national experience: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress-- (1) recognizes the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States; (2) acknowledges the achievements and contributions of Filipino Americans over the past century; and (3) requests that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe this milestone with appropriate celebratory and educational programs, ceremonies and other activities. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah. General Leave Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Utah? There was no objection. Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 218 introduced by the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case). This resolution would recognize the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledge the contributions of our Filipino- American community to our country over the last century. According to the 2000 census, there are 2.4 million Filipino- Americans currently residing in the United States. Two of the most concentrated States being California with 1.1 million Filipino- Americans and the State of Hawaii with over 250,000. The United States and the Philippines have built a lasting relationship starting with the period of United States governance between 1898 and 1946. After its independence in 1946, the Philippines have proven to be one of this country's most local international allies. The contributions to the United States of Filipino-Americans are seen in all facets of our society. They have served in the armed forces, in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the current fight against terrorism in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Their rich culture and ideals have also surfaced in our society by their contributions to the arts, politics, medicine and many other areas. In December 2005, the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission in Hawaii will begin a year-long observance of the 100th anniversary of the first Filipino arrivals in the State. The first 15 Filipino immigrants arrived in Honolulu on December 6, 1906, and presently, the Filipino and part-Filipino component of the State population is now roughly 23 percent. More and more, Filipinos and Americans of Filipino ancestry are assuming positions of power and responsibility in the State and in the private sector. Filipinos have made their mark on United States soil since they started arriving 100 years ago, and the momentum continues to make that mark even greater and will continue to do so in the years to come. I urge all Members to join me in recognizing the numerous contributions that the Filipino-American population has made in the United States and celebrate the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), the sponsor of this legislation. Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, colleagues and fellow Americans, aloha and mabuhay. I rise today to provide richly deserved recognition in the Halls of our Nation's Congress for a great people and culture whose century-old journey on our shores has personified the very essence of our American experience. I speak in strong support of H. Con. Res. 218 which I introduced with the co-sponsorship of many like-minded colleagues to recognize the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to our country and to acknowledge the incredible contributions of Filipino-Americans to our country over the last century. And I do so with great pride and deep humility as the representative of the congressional district with the most Filipino-Americans and the State with the largest percentage of Filipino-Americans nationally and with sincere gratitude to my cosponsors, to Government Reform Chair Davis and Ranking Member Waxman, to the gentlemen from Utah and Illinois, and to our collective leadership for bringing this measure to this floor expeditiously. Mr. Speaker, those whose heritage lies in the great archipelago of the Philippines have journeyed to our country and lived among us for centuries. But the modern day Filipino-American immigrant experience which has given rise to our current day Filipino-American community traces its roots to December 1906 when 15 Filipino contract laborers, or sakadas, arrived from Luzon aboard the ship Doric and began work in the sugar cane fields of Keaau on the Island of Hawaii. In the same year, the first class of pensionados arrived from the Philippines to gain an education with the intent of returning home, although many stayed on. These early sakada and pensionado roots sparked a sustained emigration from the Philippines to the United States which, over the last century, has numbered upwards of 60,000 a year, marking Filipinos as our second largest immigrant group from the Asia-Pacific region. Many continued to emigrate to Hawaii to work in the sugar fields. The Hawaii Sugar Planters Association records reflect over 125,000 immigrants from the Philippines up to the year 1946 alone, and they form the base of today's 275,000 Filipino-Americans living in Hawaii, well over 20 percent of our total population. As previously noted, it is not just my State which has benefited from the growth and maturity of our Filipino-American community, which now numbers 2.4 million nationwide, including 1.1 million in California alone. But it is in Hawaii where the full extent of the trials and tribulations and accomplishments and successes of Filipino-Americans has played out over the past century. Early generations worked long and back-breaking hours to bring the means to bring their families to Hawaii. And then those generations fought for basic rights and benefits on the plantations of Hawaii. And then they began to move beyond the plantations into other aspects of Hawaii society and to take advantage of the equalizing opportunity of education. And then those generations who benefited from the foundation of their forefathers built a broader base in the political, economic and social fabric of Hawaii until, a century later, the successes, both individually and collectively, are everywhere. Just some of the past few decades in Hawaii alone: Benjamin Cayetano, Governor; Benjamin Menor, Mario Ramil, and Simeon Acoba, justices of the Hawaii Supreme Court; Daniel Kihano and Robert Bunda, speaker of the Hawaii State House and Senate, respectively; Angela Baraquio, Miss America; Antonio Taguba, general, United States Army; Eduardo Malapit and Lorraine Rodero-Inouye, mayors; Emme Tomimbang, TV news anchor; Benny Agbayani, professional baseball player. These are just some of the more recognizable names, for Hawaii's Filipino-Americans are succeeding like their mainland counterparts throughout the full range of our society, from our military where Filipino-Americans have demonstrated decades of bravery and loyalty to our country and have one of the highest enlistment rates, to the professions, entertainment, business and well beyond. Last weekend, Hawaii's Filipino-American community and its many admirers and friends kicked off a yearlong celebration of its centennial under [[Page 28002]] the leadership of the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission, Elias Beniga, chair. This weekend, we will dedicate a marker to the original sakadas at Keaau, where it all began. And nationally, our Smithsonian is undertaking a yearly celebration as well, titled the Filipino American Story, a Century of Challenge and Change, with commemorative events, exhibits and educational opportunities here in Washington, D.C., and at other sites nationally. Mr. Speaker, I am sure that neither the original sakadas nor many who followed them here could have envisioned what the last century reaped for them and theirs, nor that we would all stand here today and over the next year to commemorate an incredible century, nor that we would collectively look forward with such eager anticipation to the story our Filipino-American community will write over the next century. Yet that is exactly what we are doing and should do for this is the story not just of Filipino-Americans, but the story of our America. Mahalo, dios ti agnina, and salamat po. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, 2006 marks the centennial anniversary of sustained immigration from the Philippines which demonstrates a warm friendship between the two nations on opposite ends of the world. The Philippines and the United States have enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation, including nearly a half century of American control of the archipelago which came to a close in 1947. Now independent, the Philippines remain one of our strongest allies in the Asian-Pacific region. In 1906, a handful of sugar cane workers immigrated from the Philippines to the then U.S. territory of Hawaii. Later that year, the first group of pensionados arrived to earn degrees from American institutions. Some pensionados returned home to the Philippines to apply their knowledge, but many remained in the United States. Combined with the influx of sugar cane workers, these Filipino immigrants established a vibrant Filipino-American community. A century of sustained immigration has persisted since 1906, and in some years, more than 60,000 Filipinos have immigrated to the United States. Hawaii and California house the majority of the nearly 2.5 million Filipinos who live in the United States, although strong communities thrive in other parts of our Nation, such as New York, New Jersey and Chicago. Filipino-Americans now represent the largest immigrant community from the Asia-Pacific region who live in the United States. Filipino- Americans have made major contributions to the arts, labor, business, politics, medicine, media and other areas. In addition, Filipino-Americans have served with honor in the United States Armed Forces in every war since World War I. They are a valued part of American society. So I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of the centennial anniversary of sustained immigration of Filipinos to the United States. Let us also recognize the vibrant history of the Filipino-American community in the United States. Their sustained immigration truly marks a century of achievement, and I commend the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) for seeking to recognize the contributions of this great part of our population. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support and as a cosponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 218, a resolution that recognizes the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledges the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country over the last century. The mark that the Filipino-American community has made on my district is immeasurable. It is a privilege to live with and to serve such a culturally rich and vibrant community. As the premier gateway from Asia, the Bay Area has been the starting point for many Filipino immigrants in America. I am truly proud that many Filipino-Americans decided to make the Bay Area their permanent home. I represent one of the largest populations of Filipino-Americans in the United States, and I would like to recognize two of the many shining lights from our community. Mr. Speaker, my dear friend Alice Bulos has worked tirelessly in the community at large and with the Filipino-American community in particular. After immigrating to the United States in the late 1970's, Alice became an outspoken leader among Filipino-Americans. She tirelessly worked to urge Filipino-Americans to become politically active. With her husband, she founded the Filipino American Grassroots Movement, a voter registration drive that sought to involve Filipinos in the political process. Alice became one of the most visible members of the community when she was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Federal Council on Aging in 1993. In 1998, she was again called upon to serve on the Commission on the Status of Women by the San Mateo County board of Supervisors. Earlier this year, the board appointed her to another term. I am proud to count Alice as a friend, and her work has made the Peninsula a better place and strengthened the Filipino-American community throughout the United States. Alex Esclamado left his homeland to pursue a better life and has been inspirational in my district and across America with his newspaper, the Philippine News. Mr. Esclamado began publishing the paper out of his garage, and from the beginning has worked to publish original content with staff-written reports. His operation has grown by leaps and bounds. He no longer drives across the country handing out his newspaper; the Philippine News is now available for delivery in 47 states and is distributed through retailers in many of the largest cities in the nation. I am proud to say that the newspaper calls my district home. Mr. Speaker, these are but two of the many extraordinary individuals in the Filipino-American community. The vibrancy of my district can be directly attributed to our diversity, and I am proud to celebrate 100 years of sustained immigration that has so influenced the Bay Area and all of the United States. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in stridently supporting this legislation. Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 218, which recognizes the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledges the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country over the last century. What started out as a few hundred migrant farm workers in California and Hawaii has grown into the second largest Asia Pacific American ethnic group in the United States today, and a cornerstone of the foundation of our nation. Since they first set foot in the United States in 1587, Filipinos have made extraordinary contributions to our nation's economy, history, politics, and culture. Larry Itliong and the often overlooked Filipino farm workers worked hand-in-hand with Cesar Chavez to form the United Farm Workers. Together, they were responsible for the movement that improved working conditions for farm workers in California, and indeed throughout our nation. Former Los Angeles Rams Quarterback, Roman Gabriel, actor Rob Schneider, and Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as Apl of the Black Eyed Peas, are just some of the Filipino-Americans who continue to raise the profile of Filipino-Americans in the fields of athletics, arts and entertainment. On my home island of Guam, Filipino- Americans are important leaders in our business community, several have served in our local legislature, and countless others have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, the contributions of the Filipino-American community remain strong throughout the United States, and are particularly evident in the Pacific Islands that are a part of the American family. Filipino- Americans have made the most out of the last 100 years since their ancestors arrived in Hawaii. They have moved up from the sugarcane plantations to assume prominent positions in public office. They have, at various times, served as Members of the Hawaii House of Representatives, State Senators, Cabinet Members, an even Governors. However, perhaps the most significant Filipino-Americans are the working professionals who continue to provide for their families while [[Page 28003]] lending their strength to the community at large. They are teachers and farmers, lawyers and medical professionals whose work ethic and determination truly embody the spirit of the American dream. At a time when we are proud to stand up and say that we are American, we must not overlook the individual pieces upon which our nation stands. The contributions of the Filipino-American community to our country are significant, and it is right that we salute all that they have done for our nation. On this occasion, let us recognize the historical significance of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States. On Guam, I want to say ``Maraming Salmat Po'' to our Filipino-American community. Today, the Filipino Community of Guam (FCG) is an organization comprised of over 70 individual community groups through which several thousand Filipino-Americans contribute to our island. I join my colleagues in recognizing and honoring their accomplishments, and those of their Kababayan throughout the United States. Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Con. Res. 218, recognizing the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledging the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country over the last century. The United States and the Philippines have a relationship full of tradition and history and both countries have a shared commitment to global peace, security, and prosperity. Currently, there are over 2 million Filipino-Americans, the second largest Asian-American community in the U.S. These Filipino-Americans have made significant contributions in many areas including education, religion, business, labor, and the arts. Dating back to World War II, when the United States and the Philippines fought side by side against Japan in the Pacific, Filipino- Americans have served with dignity and bravery in the United States Armed Forces. Today, many Filipino-American soldiers are fighting overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Philippines is working closely with the United States to win the global war on terror. Ongoing Philippines initiatives to improve and expand international counterterrorism cooperation encourage even better levels of communication between our two countries. I will continue to work with leaders in the Filipino-American community to ensure that relations between the United States and the Philippines continue to grow and prosper in the 21st Century. I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 218. Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 218, a resolution recognizing the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and acknowledging the contributions of our Filipino-American community to our country over the last century. Filipinos, as part of the Spanish galleons, first reached America as early as 1587, landing in Morro Bay, California. In 1763, the first permanent Filipino settlement was established in Southern Louisiana near Barataria Bay. A mass emigration of Filipinos to the United States began in 1906. Some Filipinos known as pensionados or government scholars came for the purpose of furthering their education and training in the United States, but most were poor Filipinos who came to work for Hawaii sugarcane and pineapple plantations, California and Washington asparagus farms, Washington lumber and Alaska salmon canneries. Today there are over 2,300,000 Filipino Americans living in the United States. They and their forebears have made countless economic, cultural, social and other notable contributions to our nation. They, for example, played pivotal roles as labor leaders organizing unions and strategic strikes to improve working and living conditions in the 1920's. Filipinos have influenced the corporate landscape as CEOs and computer software engineers. Filipinos have won Olympic gold medals as members of U.S. Olympic teams and served as Miss America. Furthermore, Filipinos have made strides politically, helping to increase the diversity of America's leadership. Benjamin J. Cayetano, in 1994, became the first Filipino American and only the second Asian Pacific Islander American elected Governor of a state of the Union. In addition to these contributions, we should also recognize Filipinos who answered President Franklin D. Roosevelt's call to arms in World War II. At the war's outbreak, Filipino Americans were barred from joining the armed forces. But in 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order calling all organized military forces of the government of the Philippines into the service of the armed forces of the United States. Filipinos responded, serving under direction of the United States' Military and fighting side by side with the Americans in Europe and Asia. Other Filipinos contributed as civilians involved in the mobilization efforts during the war. At the end of the war, Filipinos had earned the acceptance and admiration of the American public. The Filipino veterans fought with gallantry under the most difficult conditions during the war and played a heroic role in defending freedom under the American Flag. However, the Recession Act of 1946 diverted Filipino soldiers of the veteran status and, consequently, the veterans' benefits. The Immigration Act of 1990 gave 150,000 Filipino veterans of World War II the opportunity to migrate to the United States and a chance to fulfill an American Dream as promised by President Roosevelt. Although this is a step in the right direction, granting equitable benefits for Filipinos that fought with America in World War II would be an excellent way to recognize contributions Filipino-Americans have made to our country, since we all benefit from the freedom won in that war. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation. Mr. FARR. I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 218 that commemorates the substantial achievements of Filipino-Americans to our nation's history. My district, comprised of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties in California, owes a particularly large debt to the Filipino-American community. Starting in the late 1890's, Chinese, Japanese and Filipino farm laborers were the engine for the development and growth of the Salinas Valley agricultural industry. Farm labor work on strawberry and peach farms was often back-breaking; laborers rose at dawn and worked until dusk, and were generally paid very poorly. Additionally, Filipino immigrants were often treated horribly and harshly discriminated against. Filipino farm workers formed the first organized group in the early history of the United Farm Workers Union. Despite these deplorable working conditions and societal obstacles, over the last hundred years, Filipino-Americans on the Central Coast of California have enriched the quality of life for all Californians and for our nation as a whole. For example, the Filipino Community Club of the Monterey Peninsula is an energetic non-profit community based centers in my district and serves as a cultural and civic hub for Filipinos living on the Central Coast. I am proud to represent a large and vibrant Filipino population and commend their centennial of accomplishments to the United States. Mabuhay! Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 218, a resolution to recognize 2006 as the centennial of sustained immigration from the Philippines to the United States and to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Filipino Americans over the past century. Immigration from the Philippines to the United States began in 1906 when the first significant numbers of Filipino immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on the island's sugar plantations. Today, a century later, the Filipino-American community's numbers increase by nearly 60,000 new immigrants per year, making Filipinos the largest immigrant group from the Asia-Pacific region. The Filipino-American community has added so much to the vibrant culture of Chicago and our country. The 9th Congressional District boasts about 17,000 Filipino residents, which makes it home to the 36th largest number of Filipino-Americans among Congressional districts. I am particularly proud of the achievements by my constituents like Ms. Aurora Abella-Austriaco, a lawyer, who immigrated here from the Philippines. She was just appointed a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness, First District, by the State of Illinois Supreme Court on October 26, 2005. In addition to being partner of a Chicago law firm, she served as a member of the Filipino American Voters League from 1996-98. She is the current Chair of the Cook County States Attorney's Asian Advisory Council and member of the Attorney General's Asian Advisory Council and Clerk of the Circuit Court's Asian Advisory Council. She is the past Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Chicago and past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association. She also is Vice President of the Asian American Institute's 2005 Board of Directors. The history of America's Filipino-American community is the quintessential American immigrant story of early struggle, pain and sacrifice, leading to success in overcoming ethnic, social, economic, political, and legal barriers to win a well-deserved place in our national fabric. Filipino-Americans, like Ms. Abella-Austriaco, have made incredible contributions in all parts of our society, including business, [[Page 28004]] labor, politics, medicine, media and the arts. Filipino-Americans have served and are serving with special distinction in our Armed Forces, from World Wars I and II through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and today in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Smithsonian Institution will be conducting the Filipino-American Centennial Commemoration 2006 with five public programs and at least six more in cities including the city of Chicago, which I represent. The programs will range from scholarly discussions and film showings to cultural performances providing historical overviews of Filipino- Americans in the United States. This centennial celebration will provide every American an opportunity to celebrate a century of Filipino immigration to the United States. {time} 1500 Mr. CANNON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 218. The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________