Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) yesterday co-led introduction in the U.S. House alongside Congresswoman Young Kim and 34 of their colleagues of a bi-partisan measure to celebrate October as Filipino American History Month. 

“Each year our country recognizes October as Filipino American History Month, a time for all Americans to celebrate the incredible past, present and future of our fellow citizens whose heritage lies in the great country of the Philippines,” said Case in his written remarks submitted to the Congressional Record.

“I am especially humbled to do so as the Representative of Hawaii’s First Congressional District, where some 195,000 Filipino Americans live, more than any other of our 435 districts throughout the country.

“With Hawaii’s Second Congressional District with the second largest Filipino Americans population, at about 175,000, our Fil-Am community in Hawai‘i stands at 370,000.

“In total, fully a quarter of all Hawai‘i residents are Filipino Americans, by far the largest percentage of any state or territory.”

In his remarks, Case spotlighted the arrival of the first Filipinos who immigrated to the United States on October 18, 1587, when the ship the Nuestra Señora de Esperanza  arrived in Morro Bay, California. The first Filipinos to arrive in Hawaii came onboard the SS Doric with the fifteen “sakadas” (contract laborers) arrived in Honolulu to work in the sugar plantations.

“To Fil-Ams everywhere, Maraming Salamat Po and Dios Ti Agngina, congratulations. I truly look forward to partnering with you on your next proud chapters,” said Case.

"As the 2nd largest Asian American group in the U.S. and the 3rd largest ethnic group in California, Filipino Americans have played an important part in our history and continue to contribute to our communities each day,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39), the Republican co-lead of this legislation. 

“I’m glad I can help celebrate Filipino American History Month and honor the Filipino Americans in California’s 39^th District and across the country who make our nation a better place.” 

“In honor of Filipino American History Month, I am pleased to celebrate the contributions of Filipino Americans in California and across the country,” said Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33). “Filipino Americans are vital to the fabric of America. From serving in the military to working on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, Filipino Americans have made our country better.”

Lieu continued: “As an immigrant, I believe that America’s strength comes from its diversity and honoring individual cultures and their histories is a critical part of that. I am honored to join my colleagues in celebrating Filipino American History Month and continuing to fight for the needs of all American communities, including Filipino communities, in Congress.”

“As a first-generation American and member of the AAPI community, I am always proud to recognize the numerous contributions made by those in our community,” said Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-48). “Filipino Americans add to the rich fabric of our country, and I am proud to join Rep. Case in introducing this resolution to honor the history, culture, and service of Filipino Americans.”

“Happy Filipino American History Month! The first Filipino immigrants arrived in the United States in 1587 and settled on the Central Coast of California in Morro Bay, California,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24). “Since then, Filipino community culture has been an integral part of the Central Coast. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this resolution to officially recognize Filipino American History Month.”

Attachment: Case remarks in the Congressional Record for Filipino American History Month.

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