Expressing Sympathy To Citizens Of Philippines After Recent Storms

I rise today in support of H.Res. 800, which expresses the sympathy of the Congress to citizens of the Philippines after Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma. I would like to thank Congresswoman Jackie Speier for her work on this resolution.

My heart is with those who were lost, their loved ones, and the tens and thousands of survivors who are struggling in the aftermath of these cataclysmic events.

The Filipino community in Hawaii has come together out of a sense of damayan (empathy) to help support relief efforts. Since the storms, many families have sent balikbayan boxes (care packages) carrying everything from canned food to clothing to their families and friends in the Philippines.

While not an exhaustive list, I would like to recognize the work of the following community organizations: the United Filipino Council of Hawaii, the Oahu Filipino Community Council, the Filipino Community Center Inc., the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the Honolulu Filipino Jaycees, the Hawaiian Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and the Kasama Filipino studies club at Leeward Community College.

Maraming salamat po (thank you).

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