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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 780 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 780

   Recognizing the celebration of Filipino American History Month in 
                                October.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 25, 2009

 Mr. Filner submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
            the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Recognizing the celebration of Filipino American History Month in 
                                October.

Whereas the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental 
        United States was the date of October 18, 1587, when the first ``Luzones 
        Indios'' set foot in Morro Bay, California, on board the Manila-built 
        galleon ship Nuestra Senora de Esperanza;
Whereas the Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes the year of 
        1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the 
        United States in St. Malo Parrish, Louisiana, which set in motion the 
        focus on the story of our Nation's past from a new perspective by 
        concentrating on the economic, cultural, social, and other notable 
        contributions that Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward 
        the development of the history of the United States;
Whereas the Filipino American community is the second largest Asian American 
        group in the United States with a population of approximately 3,100,000 
        people;
Whereas Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have a longstanding 
        history serving within the Armed Services of the United States, from the 
        Civil War to the present Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including the 
        250,000 Filipinos who fought under the United States flag during World 
        War II to protect and defend this country;
Whereas Filipino Americans are an integral part of the United States healthcare 
        system as nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals;
Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to the fine arts, music, 
        dance, literature, education, business, literature, journalism, sports, 
        fashion, politics, government, science, technology, and other fields in 
        the United States which enrich the landscape of the country;
Whereas efforts must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history 
        and culture, as mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino 
        American National Historical Society, because the roles of Filipino 
        Americans and other people of color have been overlooked in the writing, 
        teaching, and learning of United States history;
Whereas it is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role 
        models to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with 
        the richness of their ethnicity and the value of their legacy; and
Whereas Filipino American History Month is celebrated during the month of 
        October: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History 
        Month as a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans, as a 
        time of reflection and remembrance, and as a time to renew 
        efforts toward the research and examination of history and 
        culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in 
        the United States to learn and appreciate more about Filipino 
        Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation; 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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