[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26053]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

  (Mr. AUSTRIA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. AUSTRIA. Mr. Speaker, while we celebrate Filipino American 
History Month in October, unfortunately the Philippines has been 
devastated by multiple typhoons in the past few weeks, and our thoughts 
and prayers are with the Filipino people.
  My father came to the United States from the Philippines to finish 
medical school. He became a U.S. citizen and lived the American dream. 
I am aware of at least two other Members of Filipino descent, and I am 
proud to be a first-generation Filipino American elected to Congress, 
which is why I cosponsored House Resolution 780 which recognizes 
Filipino American History Month.
  I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the economic, 
cultural, social, and many other contributions of Filipino Americans. 
Our Nations have been brought together as partners by crucial events 
throughout history, and even though we are separated by an ocean, the 
two countries are connected by their long-standing relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, may the long-standing relationship between the 
Philippines and the United States remain strong.

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