Rep. Honda, Sen. Hirono Honor Filipino Americans With Month of Recognition

Press Release

Congressman Mike Honda (D-Silicon Valley) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), today announced a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to recognize October 2016 as ""Filipino American History Month." Hawai'i, which Sen. Hirono represents, is the only Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) majority state in the country. California's 17th congressional district, which Congressman Honda represents, is the only AAPI-majority district in the continental United States.

"Filipino Americans have an extraordinary legacy that includes the valor of those who fought for the U.S. during World War II, the progressive change in the labor movement driven by farm workers in Delano, and all the unique voices that amplify the rich diversity that America champions," said Rep. Honda. "Every day in Silicon Valley, I see evidence of the continued courage, innovation, and hard work that Filipino Americans have displayed throughout American history as labor leaders, service members, artists, and business owners.

"This resolution pays tribute to the wide-ranging contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our country," said Senator Hirono. "Nearly 200,000 Filipino Americans, including Filipino World War II veterans who fought for the United States, enrich communities across Hawaii every day. To honor them, we must see through the effort to award these veterans the Congressional Gold Medal, and ensure that their eligible family members apply for the Obama Administration's program to reunite with their parents and other relatives in the United States."

The text of Congressman Honda's resolution is available here, and the text of Senator Hirono's resolution can be found here.

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.

The resolution is also supported by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

"NCAPA thanks Senator Hirono for once again introducing the Filipino American History Month resolution and for all of her advocacy on behalf of the Filipino American community," said NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang. "Every October, we recognize the long history and achievements of Filipino Americans in our nation. This year, we've made tremendous strides in honoring our Filipino American World War II veterans, including the launch of a program to reunite veterans with their family members and the Senate passage of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act. While we celebrate Filipino American History Month, we also urge the House of Representatives to pass this Gold Medal bill, to fully recognize the courage and bravery of our Filipino American veterans."

Both Sen. Hirono and Rep. Honda are also calling for Congressional recognition of Filipino WWII veterans with the highest civilian honor--the Congressional Gold Medal. A bill, authored by Sen Hirono, has passed the U.S. Senate. The Filipino American community is calling for a vote in the House of Representatives on Rep. Honda's bill.

Currently, there are nearly 3.5 million Filipino Americans. Around 260,000 Filipino and Filipino American veterans fought under the American flag in World War II at the request of President Roosevelt.

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