11.01.19

Cantwell, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Honor Filipino American History Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 18 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution in the United States Senate to recognize the month of October as Filipino American History Month. The resolution celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans and honors their contributions to the United States. 

“It is essential to promote the understanding, education, and appreciation of the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the United States,” the resolution reads. “Filipino American History Month is a time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United States.” 

The resolution honors the earliest documented Filipino presence in the continental U.S., the first permanent Filipino settlement in the nation, and the economic, cultural, and social contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. Currently, with a population of approximately 4,000,000, the Filipino American community is the third largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) released in 2018, Washington state has the fourth-largest Filipino community in the country. 

In addition to Cantwell, the Senate resolution was introduced by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). A companion resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) and TJ Cox (D-CA). 

The full text of the Senate resolution is available HERE. 

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