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Filipino American History Month

was first proclaimed by the 111th Congress of the United States in November 2009.

 

House Resolution 780, in concurrence with Senate Resolution 298, read in its entirety as law:

 

“Whereas the earliest documented Filipino presence in the continental United States was on October 18, 1587, when the first “Luzones Indios” set foot in Morro Bay, CA, on board the manila-built galleon ship Nuestra Senora de Esperanza;

 

“Whereas the Filipino American national historical Society recognizes the year 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States in St. Malo, 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 American 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 in the Armed Forces from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including the 25,000 Filipinos who fought under the United States flag during WWII to protect and defend this country;

 

Whereas nine Filipino American 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 United States Armed Forces;

 

Whereas Filipino Americans are an integral part of the United States health care system as nurses, doctors, and other medical professions;

 

“Whereas Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to the fine arts, music, dance, literature, business, journalism, education, science, technology, government, politics, fashion, 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 American and other people of color have been overlooked in the writing, teaching and learning of Unites 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 2009: Now therefore be it

 

“Resolved That the House of Representatives –

 

“Resolved That the Senate –

 

“(1) recognizes the celebration of Filipino American history Month 2009 as a study of the advancement of Filipino American 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;

 

“(2) urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month 2009 with appropriate programs and activities.”

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