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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 305 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 305

  Recognizing the month of October 2017 as Filipino American History 
Month and celebrating the history and culture of Filipino Americans and 
           their immense contributions to the United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 25, 2017

 Ms. Hirono (for herself, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Kaine, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mr. Heller, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Cortez Masto, 
   Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Booker, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Durbin, Ms. 
  Harris, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Franken) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Recognizing the month of October 2017 as Filipino American History 
Month and celebrating the history and culture of Filipino Americans and 
           their immense contributions to the United States.

Whereas the earliest documented Filipino presence in the continental United 
        States was October 18, 1587, when the first ``Luzones Indios'' arrived 
        in Morro Bay, California, on board the Nuestra Senora de Esperanza, a 
        Manila-built galleon ship;
Whereas the Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes 1763 as the 
        year in which the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United 
        States was established in St. Malo, Louisiana;
Whereas the recognition of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United 
        States adds a new perspective to the history of the United States by 
        bringing attention to the economic, cultural, social, and other notable 
        contributions made by Filipino Americans to the development of the 
        United States;
Whereas the Filipino American community is the second largest Asian American and 
        Pacific Islander group in the United States, with a population of 
        approximately 4,000,000;
Whereas, from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, Filipino 
        Americans have a longstanding history of serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas more than 250,000 Filipinos fought under the United States flag during 
        World War II to protect and defend the United States in the Pacific 
        theater;
Whereas 20,000 Filipino World War II veterans were granted United States 
        citizenship as a result of the Immigration Act of 1990, which was signed 
        into law by President George H.W. Bush on November 29, 1990;
Whereas, effective June 8, 2016, the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole 
        Program allowed for Filipino World War II veterans and certain family 
        members to be reunited more expeditiously than the immigrant visa 
        process allowed at that time;
Whereas on December 14, 2016, President Barack Obama signed into law S. 1555 
        (114th Congress), the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional 
        Gold Medal Act of 2015, to award Filipino veterans who fought alongside 
        troops of the United States in World War II the highest civilian honor 
        bestowed by Congress, a recognition for which Filipino World War II 
        veterans have waited more than 70 years;
Whereas the presentation of Congressional Medals of Honor pursuant to such Act 
        will take place on October 25, 2017, in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol 
        Building;
Whereas Filipino Americans continue to demonstrate a commendable sense of 
        patriotism and honor;
Whereas 9 Filipino Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the 
        highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that may be 
        bestowed on an individual serving in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the late Thelma Garcia Buchholdt, born in Claveria, Cagayan, on the 
        island of Luzon in the Philippines--

    (1) moved with her family to Alaska in 1965;

    (2) was elected to the House of Representatives of Alaska in 1974;

    (3) was the first Filipino woman elected to a State legislature; and

    (4) authored a comprehensive history book entitled ``Filipinos in 
Alaska: 1788-1958'';

Whereas Filipino American farmworkers and labor leaders, such as Philip Vera 
        Cruz and Larry Itliong, played an integral role in the multiethnic 
        United Farm Workers movement, alongside Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, 
        and other Latino workers;
Whereas Filipino Americans play an integral role in the healthcare system of the 
        United States as nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals;
Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to music, dance, literature, 
        education, business, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, 
        science, technology, the fine arts, and other fields that enrich the 
        landscape of the United States;
Whereas, as mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino American National 
        Historical Society, efforts should continue to promote the study of 
        Filipino American history and culture because the roles of Filipino 
        Americans and other people of color have largely been overlooked in the 
        writing, teaching, and learning of the history of the United States;
Whereas it is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role 
        models to instill--

    (1) the significance of education, complemented by the richness of 
Filipino American ethnicity; and

    (2) the value of the Filipino American legacy; and

Whereas it is essential to promote the understanding, education, and 
        appreciation of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the 
        United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History 
        Month in October 2017 as--
                    (A) a testament to the advancement of Filipino 
                Americans;
                    (B) a time to reflect on and remember the many 
                notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made 
                to the United States; and
                    (C) a time to renew efforts toward the research and 
                examination of history and culture so as to provide an 
                opportunity for all people of the United States to 
                learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate 
                the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the 
                United States; and
            (2) urges the people of the United States to observe 
        Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and 
        activities.
                                 <all>
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