Filipino-American History Month

Subject: [xMJBMSgroup] US SENATE DESIGNATES OCTOBER 2011 as "Filipino-American History Month"



A DAY OF PRIDE FOR FILIPINOS EVERYWHERE, AT THE RECOGNITION ACCORDED BY THE UNITED STATES SENATE:

OCTOBER: FILIPINO-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

112th CONGRESS / 1st Session / S. RES. 287
Designating
October as `Filipino American History Month'.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 5, 2011
Mr. REID (for himself, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. AKAKA, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. SCHUMER, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. DURBIN, and Mr. HELLER) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

RESOLUTION

Designating October 2011 as `Filipino American History Month'.

Whereas 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, marks the earliest documented Filipino presence in the continental United States;

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, Louisiana;

Whereas the recognition of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States adds new perspective to United States history by bringing attention to the economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward the development of the United States;

Whereas the Filipino-American community is the third largest Asian-American group in the United States, with a population of approximately 3,417,000 individuals;

Whereas Filipino-American servicemen and servicewomen have a longstanding history of serving in the Armed Forces, from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including the 250,000 Filipinos who fought under the United States flag during World War II to protect and defend the United States;

Whereas 9 Filipino Americans have received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award
for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Forces;

Whereas Filipino Americans play an integral role in the United States health care system as nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals;

Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to music, dance, literature, education, business, literature, journalism, sports, fashion, politics, government, science, technology, the fine arts, and other fields in the United States that enrich the landscape of the country;

Whereas efforts should 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 largely 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 significance 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 2011: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate --

(1) designates October 2011 as `Filipino American History Month';

(2) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as--

(A) a study of the advancement of Filipino Americans;

(B) a time of reflection and remembrance of the many notable contributions Filipino Americans have made to the United States; and

(C) 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 United States; and

(3) urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities.