Filipino American History Month Resolution passes in California!

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/scr_48_bill_20090910_enrolled.html


RESOLUTION CHAPTER
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 48—Relative to Filipino
American History Month.

legislative counsel’s digest
SCR 48, Yee. Filipino American History Month.
This measure would designate the month of October 2009, and
every October thereafter, as Filipino American History Month.

WHEREAS, The earliest documented proof of Filipino presence
in the continental United States was the date of October 18, 1587,
when the first “Luzones Indios” set foot in Morro Bay, California,
as published by Lorraine Crouchett in her book, Filipinos in
California (1982), which annotated John Walton Caughey’s book,
California (1953); and

WHEREAS, The Filipino American National Historical Society
recognizes the year of 1763 as the date of the first permanent
Filipino settlement in the United States in St. Malo Parrish,
Louisiana, which set in motion the focus on the story of our
nation’s past from a new perspective by concentrating on the
economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions that
Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward the
development of the history of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Efforts must continue to promote the study of
Filipino American history and culture, as mandated in the mission
statement of the Filipino American National Historical Society,
because the roles of Filipino Americans and other people of color
have been overlooked in the writing, teaching, and learning of
United States history; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative for Filipino American youth to
have positive role models to instill in them the importance of
education, complemented with the richness of their ethnicity and
the value of their legacy; and

WHEREAS, California is home to over half of the Filipino
population in the United States and the location of historic Filipino
communities such as in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Stockton,
Vallejo, Delano, San Diego, and Salinas among others; now,
therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes October 2009,
the 422nd anniversary of the presence of Filipinos in California,
as a significant time to study the advancement of Filipino
Americans in the history of California and the United States, as a
favorable time of celebration, remembrance, reflection, and
motivation, and as a relevant time to renew more efforts toward
research, examination, and promulgation of Filipino American
history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all
Californians to learn and appreciate more about Filipino Americans
and their historic contributions to California and the United States;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature designates October 2009, and
every October thereafter, as Filipino American History Month;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

*****

On behalf of FANHS, we express special thanks to Senator Yee who introduced SCR 48.
FANHS Sacramento Chapter President Frances Tibon Estoista, Consultant, Senate Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee @ the California State Capitol
and FANHS National Trustee & Filipino American History Month Coordinator Mel Orpilla (FANHS Vallejo Chapter) worked with many, many people and organizations to make California's Filipino American History Month Resolution a reality. MANY, many thanks to everyone who made this possible.

~Joanie
Dr. Joan May T. Cordova
FANHS National President

California Senate Passes Filipino American History Month Legislation

The resolution must now go to the Assembly for approval.

Thank you to everyone who wrote letters of support! And thanks to the FANHS Trustee / Filipino American History Month Coordinator, Mel Orpilla and team for much hard work.

Fran Tibon (FANHS Sacramento Chapter President) just emailed this news.



For Immediate Release: July 13, 2009 Contact: Adam J. Keigwin,(916) 651-4008(916) 256-5758

California Senate Passes Filipino American History Month Legislation
Senator Yee authors resolution to recognize accomplishments of Filipino Americans


SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to officially recognize the accomplishments of Filipino Americans. Senate Concurrent Resolution 48, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), will declare October as Filipino American History Month.


“It is imperative that we continue efforts to promote the accomplishments of Filipino Americans,” said Yee, whose district includes one of the largest Filipino communities outside of thePhilippines. “For far too long the role of Filipinos in our national history has been ignored. Through SCR 48, we help ensure that our children learn about this important history.”
The earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental United States was the date of October 18, 1587, when the first “Luzones Indios” set foot in Morro Bay, California. The Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes the year of 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States in St. Malo Parish, Louisiana. Today, California is home to over half of the Filipino population in the United States.
In 2007, Yee successfully passed Senate Joint Resolution 5, urging Congress to pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act and to fully restore benefits stripped from Filipino WWII veterans by the 1946 Rescission Act.


Senator Yee has long advocated for the Filipino veterans. In 2004, then Assemblyman Yee led the effort to prevent Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) from eliminating the California Veterans Cash Benefit Program from the State budget. While the Governor proposed cutting the $226 per month benefit, Yee successfully fought to make sure the Veterans Program was reauthorized in the budget approved by the Legislature. Yee has also authored legislation to add the role of Filipinos in WWII to the high school social studies curriculum.

This year, Yee is authoring SB 242 to protect language as a civil right. In addition to authoring several bills regarding language access, Yee has consistently fought for the Filipino community and helped recognize the accomplishments of Filipino Americans.

In March 2006, Yee honored the contributions of Larry Itliong at a ceremony in San Francisco. Itliong, along with Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, started the farm worker movement. Yee has led various efforts to assist the Philippines after devastating earthquakes, typhoons and mudslides.


In March 2005, Yee honored the late San Francisco community activist, volunteer, and environmentalist Tess Manalo-Ventresca as the 12th Assembly District Woman of the Year.
In 2001, when the airport screeners were laid off, Yee was an outspoken supporter of the workers and his office provided resume and interview tips, and participated in job fairs to help get the workers back on their feet.
SCA 48 will next be considered by the State Assembly.
###

Adam J. Keigwin Chief of StaffOffice of Senator Leland Y. Yee, Ph.D.,Assistant President pro TemCalifornia State Senate District 8(916) 651-4008 www.senate.ca.gov/yee
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