Hirono, Case Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution to Recognize Filipino American History Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Ed Case (D-HI) led their colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to recognize October as Filipino American History Month. This resolution honors and celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans, honoring the key role they have played in shaping our country.

“From the first contract laborers who arrived in Hawaii and fought in the struggle for workers’ rights, to the thousands of Filipino soldiers who have and currently serve in the armed forces, and the countless Filipino American healthcare workers who faced dangerous conditions to save lives during the pandemic—Filipino Americans in Hawaii and across the country are vital members of our communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud to introduce this resolution to celebrate the history and rich culture of Filipino Americans, as we honor their contributions and uplift their voices and accomplishments.”

“As a proud member of the Executive Board of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the Representative of Hawaii's First Congressional District, where some 190,000 Filipino Americans live, I am grateful to join with my colleagues to once again commemorate this October as Filipino American History Month,” said Representative Case. “The history of the Fil-Am community in Hawai‘i is particularly rich and echoes the national story. In 1906, the first fifteen sakada contract laborers arrived in Honolulu from the Philippines aboard the SS Doric, marking the first sustained immigration into our country and the humble beginnings of Fil-Ams in Hawai‘i. They endured much hardship, but like their brothers and sisters who also settled elsewhere in America, Filipinos found what separates America from other countries – a land that afforded them the fundamental rights and civil liberties guaranteed to all citizens under our Constitution. America was the land of opportunity, which enabled anyone to realize their potential and turn their dreams into reality. The story of Filipino Americans in my state of Hawaii, as well as across the country, and to an extent, the stories of all of our various ethnic groups, is the story of America.”

The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA),  and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representatives Michelle Steel (R-CA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), James Moylan (R-GU), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Suzy Lee (D-NV), Grace Meng (D-NY), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Gregorio Sablan (D-MP), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), David Valadao (R-CA) and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of the Filipino American community in Hawaii and across the country. Senator Hirono has introduced similar resolutions to recognize Filipino American History Month and honor Filipino Americans’ contributions to the U.S. during multiple past Congresses. Since 2013, Senator Hirono has also led the introduction of the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. In April 2023, Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, visited the Filipino World War II Veterans Monument at the Waipahu Public Library in Hawaii, which was dedicated this past February. In November 2022, Senator Hirono met with student leaders of the Filipino Curriculum Project, a project to create an elective course within the Hawaii Department of Education that tells the history and contributions of Filipino’s in Hawaii, to discuss the project’s achievements and plans for the future.

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