October 08, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Danielle Varallo (Danielle_Varallo@kirk.senate.gov)

 

Kirk, Hirono Lead Bipartisan Resolution To Recognize Filipino American History Month

 

Congressman Mike Honda of California Leads Resolution in the House of Representatives 

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Congressman Mike Honda (D-Calif.-17) today introduced a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to recognize October 2015 as ‘‘Filipino American History Month.”

 

“Illinois benefits greatly from the important economic and cultural contributions of the roughly 140,000 Filipino Americans that call our state home,” said Senator Kirk. “The United States and the Republic of the Philippines have a special friendship, as evidenced not only by the many Filipinos who fought side-by-side with Americans to defend freedom in World War II, but also by the enduring economic and security alliance that our two democracies share today. To mga Kababayan in Illinois and throughout America, I say:  Maraming salamat, po!”

“Recognizing Filipino American History Month in Congress is a testament to the countless contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our country,” said Senator Hirono. “As we celebrate Filipino American heritage, we must also renew our commitment to recognizing Filipino World War II veterans for their service to our country, and continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform that would reunite many Filipino American families.”

The resolution honors the earliest documented Filipino presence in the continental U.S., the very first permanent Filipino settlement in the nation, and the economic, cultural, and social contributions of Filipino Americans.

Currently, there are nearly 3.5 million Filipino Americans, including WWII Filipino American veterans who fought under the American flag at the request of President Roosevelt.

The resolutions have broad support, including from Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

 

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