A resolution recognizing Filipino American History Month in October 2009.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 780) recognizing the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and add any extraneous materials.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I am proud to present H. Res. 780 for consideration. This resolution recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month.

House Resolution 780 was introduced on September 25, 2009, by my friend and colleague Representative Bob Filner of California. In addition, this resolution was favorably reported out of the Oversight Committee by unanimous consent on October 29, 2009, and it enjoys the support of over 50 Members of Congress. Moreover, the United States Senate passed a companion resolution to this legislation, Senate Resolution 298, by unanimous consent on October 1, 2009.

Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 780 recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as a unique opportunity to reflect upon the significant advancements of Filipino Americans in our country as well as highlight the countless and diverse contributions of Filipino Americans to our national history and culture.

This monthlong celebration of Filipino American History Month was established in 1988 by the Filipino American National Historical Society to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the permanent settlement of Filipinos in the continental United States.

Notably, the Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes the year 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the continental United States in the small fishing village of Saint Malo, located in what is now Saint Bernard Parish in Louisiana. These early settlers were formerly impressed sailors who escaped their oppressive conditions aboard Spanish galleons to establish a Filipino community in present-day Louisiana. The existence of this Filipino settlement was first reported in an 1883 Harper's Weekly article, which is widely believed to be the first article written about Filipino settlers in these United States.

Today, according to the most recent United States Census Bureau estimate, the Filipino American population in the United States is nearly 3.1 million, making the Filipino American community the second largest Asian American group in the United States. And while the majority of our Filipino American population is concentrated in the States of California and Hawaii, Filipino contributions in the field of public service, literature, business, science and other areas have deeply enriched the lives of all Americans across our Nation.

Whether we recall the approximately 250,000 brave Filipino Americans that served during World War II, or our Filipino Americans deployed in the support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, our brave Filipino American servicemen and -women have continually demonstrated their commitment to safeguarding our Nation at great personal sacrifice.

Accordingly, I would like to thank the sponsor of this resolution, my friend and colleague Mr. Filner of California, for his great work as chairman of our Veterans' Affairs Committee and for ensuring that the economic stimulus legislation signed by President Obama earlier this year included a provision which required that our roughly 15,000 living Filipino veterans of World War II receive their full and deserved veterans benefits.

The contributions of Filipino Americans to our national history are also evident in various other areas, including government and journalism. Notably, in 1994, Benjamin J. Cayetano became the first Filipino American elected a United States Governor. And in 1997, Filipino American journalists Byron Acohido and Alex Tizon of The Seattle Times were the recipients of Pulitzer Prizes for their outstanding contributions to American journalism.

Mr. Tizon, a native of Manila who came to the United States at the age of 4, was honored for a series of investigative articles about the widespread corruption and inequities in the Federally sponsored housing program for Native Americans. Mr. Acohido received his Pulitzer for his reporting on the conditions of the American aerospace industry.

Mr. Speaker, these are only a few of the many Filipino Americans whose achievements have greatly contributed to our national history. It is my hope that we can commemorate the contributions of all Filipino Americans

through the passage of House Resolution 780 and by recognizing the significance of Filipino American History Month.

I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting H. Res. 780.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. But I do want to point out that the reason we are here, dealing with noncontroversial items and commemorative items, in fact, is because the House is not scheduled to take up votes, according to the calendar, until 6:30. So we use this time to take up matters that are noncontroversial, and we postpone votes so that Members can come in during the day. They are flying in during the process.

So this is a regularly scheduled event here. This is when we take up matters that are noncontroversial, such as this one, which recognizes the importance of Filipino Americans. This is important to the Filipino American community. It is very, very important and well deserved. I think it is appropriate at a time like this to take the time to recognize their accomplishments and for being an important part of our Nation's history and our culture.

I resent the fact that the inference has been made here that somehow we are using valuable time in the House when this particular time has been segmented so as to not interrupt the important business to be taken up later in the week. We are taking this time now, while Members are flying in and we don't have a full quorum, to address these commemorative issues. We will be in for the full week, so we'll have plenty of time to take those other matters up when the House is fully assembled.

Again, I have no further speakers, but I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the point I was making is that this time, this time right now, has been reserved for this purpose specifically; and this is a regular occasion during the week that we do this. Again, while we have extended a courtesy to Members of the Republican side, from the minority, so that they would know when votes are expected on the floor, and we have put that to a time certain.

The reason that we are dealing with ceremonial matters, commemorative matters here, is because Members are not all in the District of Columbia right now; they're not all in Washington. They are traveling here. This is a matter of courtesy, a courtesy extended to the minority Members so that when matters of contest and of dispute might arise, they would be here in full numbers, having the full opportunity to debate those matters.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of this legislation and the two other commemorating resolutions the Oversight and Government Reform Committee has put forth for consideration today on the House floor.

I believe Congress should instead, though, be focusing on high- priority initiatives. We are facing record unemployment deficits that threaten to bankrupt this country and a stimulus that is failing to create new jobs, yet this Congress is considering legislation that is not a high priority for the American people. The Congress should be considering legislation that provides a real and immediate economic solution for the American people before naming and commemorating resolutions.

But I do rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of this resolution in celebration of Filipino American History Month. We have all seen the countless ways in which these Filipino Americans have advanced our Nation politically, economically and culturally. Filipino Americans have significantly contributed to this country through arts, science, math, sports, commerce and every other aspect of American culture since they first arrived in the 16th century.

During World War II, over 200,000 Filipinos served in our U.S. military. They served in a variety of roles, such as the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Commonwealth Army under U.S. command and as guerrillas during the Japanese occupation of their islands. The history of our country has shown that Filipino Americans have strengthened the United States in all facets of our growth and development. Over 3 million Americans have traced their lineage to the Philippines, making them the second-largest Asian American group in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would say in response to my colleague, I certainly appreciate the substance of this resolution. It is important. However, my colleague's characterization that this is only one day that we do suspensions here in the House actually doesn't comport with the reality that we've faced over the last few weeks in the House of Representatives.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, the House of Representatives considered suspension items, which are noncontroversial pieces of legislation, many of which are commemorating in nature and are certainly important to the Members and to the group they're commemorating, absolutely. I agree. But we do have major work that we must contend with, and that was certainly the reason why I started this discussion by saying that we should be dealing with real major economic issues as a Congress and take those very seriously and, adding further, that the stimulus has failed our people, and I think we should be working to fix that, rather than simply to commemorate or change the building names of different Federal agencies and different governmental buildings.

I certainly appreciate my colleague's comments, but we certainly have a different focus on that matter and that characterization, although I would say that I share the same focus as my colleague from Massachusetts, and that is trying to do what's right for the American people. I certainly appreciate his work in that regard as well.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. Res. 780, which recognizes and celebrates Filipino American History Month in October.

The first Filipino in the United States arrived at Morro Bay, California, on October 18, 1587 in the Manila-built galleon, Nuestra Senora de Esperanza. In 1763, the first permanent Filipino settlement was established in the United States in St. Malo Parrish, Louisiana. For over 200 years, since before the founding of our great country, Filipino Americans have made varied contributions to American culture and society in countless ways.

Today, there are more than 3 million Filipino Americans and persons of Filipino ancestry living in the United States, including nearly 6,000 in my own 9th Congressional district in Houston, Texas. Filipino Americans count among their community prominent politicians, artists, businessmen, athletes, scientists, educators, writers, television personalities, scholars, and entertainers. Moreover, they are people who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of our country. Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have a longstanding history of serving in the Armed Services of the United States, from the Civil War to the present Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including more than 250,000 Filipinos who valiantly

fought under the United States flag during World War II.

Notwithstanding their contributions to America, we must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history and culture because of the important roles that Filipino Americans and other people of color have played in United States history. It is my hope that through this House Resolution, we can renew our commitment to ensuring that Filipino Americans and people of color are given their due recognition for their contributions to our nation.

I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 780 to honor our nation's Filipino Americans and our shared history with this community in the United States. Filipino Americans have altered America, their contributions are documented and forever enshrined in our history, and they deserve our recognition for the countless ways in which they make America great.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 780, legislation introduced by my colleague, Congressman Bob Filner of California. H. Res 780 recognizes the celebration of Filipino-American History Month and the important contributions made by the Filipino- American community throughout our Nation's history. Filipino-Americans have contributed to all facets of American society and have enriched our Nation with their lives and achievements.

Guam is home to a large population of Filipino-Americans who are active in all sectors of our community. Filipino-Americans have contributed to the economic, cultural and social success of Guam and have long played a part in the development of our island. The Philippines are culturally and historically linked to our community on Guam.

I would like to recognize the Filipino Community of Guam, an umbrella organization representing over fifty groups, working together for the benefit of our island. I also commend the Filipino Community of Guam for mobilizing and organizing relief efforts for the Filipino flood victims affected by this past year's natural disasters. Numerous members of the Guam Filipino community maintain close ties to their relatives in the Philippines and were eager to help those in need.

As a member of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus I join my colleagues in urging a ``yes'' vote on H. Res 780.

Mr Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 780, which I introduced along with several of my colleagues on the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus.

H. Res. 780 recognizes Filipino American History Month, which was in October, and celebrates the heritage and culture of Filipino Americans and their immense contributions to our nation.

The Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in 1988. However, the U.S. House of Representatives has never recognized Filipino American History Month.

Consideration of H. Res. 780 is long overdue.

I am pleased to honor the Filipino American community and pay tribute to the extraordinary contributions that Filipinos make to this nation. Filipino Americans have been part of the American experience, confronting many difficult challenges while being resolute and steadfast in their cultural heritage.

Today, we honor Filipino Americans, from farm workers to nurses and doctors to the brave and courageous soldiers who fought shoulder-to- shoulder with American servicemen. This country is indebted to the Filipino veterans of World War II for their extraordinary sacrifices.

I urge my colleagues to join with me in honoring the history, culture, and contribution of Filipino Americans in the United States by supporting this important resolution.