‘Filipino American History Month’ Resolution Introduced

Senator Mazie Hirono, along with Congressman Mike Honda from the Silicon Valley district of California, introduced a bicameral and bipartisan resolution Thursday to recognize October 2015 as “Filipino American History Month.”

The only Asian American Pacific Islander majority state in the country is represented by Senator Hirono, and Congressman Honda represents the only AAPI majority district in the continental United States.

“Recognizing Filipino American History Month in Congress is a testament to the countless contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our country,” said Senator Hirono. “As we celebrate Filipino American heritage, we must also renew our commitment to recognizing Filipino World War II veterans for their service to our country, and continue to work toward comprehensive immigration reform that would reunite many Filipino American families.”

The resolution is also supported by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.

“Filipino American History Month is a time to celebrate the centuries of contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our nation,” said Director Christopher Kang of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. “NCAPA thanks Senator Hirono and Representative Honda for introducing this resolution and for the leadership that they and other CAPAC members have shown in honoring the 260,000 courageous Filipino and Filipino American soldiers who served in World War II, through legislation that would award them a Congressional Gold Medal and by working to reunite the surviving 18,000 veterans with their families after decades of waiting.”