[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23887]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              CELEBRATING FILIPINO AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 2, 2008

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about a resolution 
that I have just introduced along with Congressmen Honda, Issa, and 
Bobby Scott, my colleagues on the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, 
H. Res. 1523. This resolution recognizes Filipino American Heritage 
Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Filipino Americans 
and their immense contributions to our Nation.
  The Filipino American National Historical Society established 
Filipino American History Month in 1988 but I was surprised to learn 
that the House of Representatives has never recognized this month, 
which is long overdue! We are pleased to honor the Filipino American 
community and pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that 
Filipinos make to this Nation. Filipino Americans have been part of the 
American experience, confronting many difficult challenges while being 
resolute and steadfast in their cultural heritage.
  We honor the Filipino Americans, from the farm workers to nurses and 
doctors and to the brave and courageous soldiers who fought shoulder to 
shoulder with American servicemen. This country is indebted to the 
Filipino veterans of World War II for their extraordinary sacrifices. 
We promise that we will not give up. Equity and recognition for World 
War II Veterans is a moral imperative!
  I invite my colleagues to join with me in honoring the history, 
culture, and contribution of Filipino Americans in the United States, 
by supporting this important resolution, H. Res. 1523.

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