Hirono Honors Filipino American Business Community
HONOLULU- Senator Mazie K. Hirono tonight recognized the incoming leadership of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (FCCH) at the organization’s 62nd Annual Installation Banquet. Senator Hirono also congratulated FCCH for its contributions to Hawaii’s economy.
“Hawaii’s Filipino community has made significant contributions to our state,” said Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s work has played a critical role in the success of Filipino American owned businesses in the islands as well as strengthened ties between Hawaii and the Philippines through its annual trade mission to the Asian nation. I will continue to support their efforts by advocating on behalf of the Filipino American community in the United States Senate.”
Senator Hirono has long advocated for the Filipino American community. Earlier this week, the United States Senate unanimously passed legislation authored by Senator Hirono to award Filipino World War II veterans the Congressional Gold Medal. After years of advocacy by Senator Hirono, the Obama Administration announced last July that it would create a parole program to reunite the families of Filipino World War II veterans. Senator Hirono is now working with veterans groups and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure that eligible veterans and their families apply for the program. The Senator also successfully prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from taking funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to pay for other projects.
Senator Hirono and Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii President Bernadette Fajardo.
Senator Hirono and Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii members (Left to Right): Norma Chang, Buddy Gendrano, Senator Hirono, Randall Chang, William Rol, Lei Rol, Frank Cruzata
