[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16081]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         FILIPINO HISTORY MONTH

  (Ms. HANABUSA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, Mabuhay.
  We take time this month to recognize the contributions of Filipino 
Americans to the growth of our Nation. The first wave of migrants came 
from the Philippines to Hawaii when we were still a territory. Today, 
they number the largest ethnic group in the State, and they total 
almost 1.5 million in the State of California.
  Now, Mr. Speaker, we have not kept our promises to the Filipino 
Americans. In World War II, we drafted about 200,000 of them with the 
promise--the promise--that they will have citizenship and benefits. And 
in 1946, the Congress rescinded that promise.
  Today, with the stimulus package in 2009, we finally authorized the 
payment of some of the benefits to 30,000 who are remaining--30,000--
but we have still failed to do what they wanted the most, which is the 
reunification of their families. Their stories and others' we will hear 
through this month.
  Mr. Speaker, please join with me in saying to them, ``Salamat po,'' 
thank you for what you have done for this Nation.

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