Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today co-led introduction in the U.S. House alongside Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39), Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-3), Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-48) and 23 other colleagues of a bi-partisan measure to celebrate October 2022 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 Congressman Ed 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 according to the 2021 American Community Survey more than 190,000 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 American population – our Fil-Am community in Hawai’i stands at more than 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 I came onboard the SS Doric in 1906 with fifteen “sakadas” (contract laborers) who 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 only currently serving member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and co-chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to celebrate Filipino American History Month,” said Congressman Bobby Scott.

“Filipino Americans have contributed significantly to our nation through military service, the arts and sciences, health care and so much more. I am also proud to represent the Hampton Roads, Virginia region in Congress, which is home to a large and vibrant community of Filipino Americans, many of whom have served our nation in uniform. The ties between the United States and the Philippines could not be stronger. And I was honored to witness those strong ties firsthand this summer, when I attended the Inauguration of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. as part of the Presidential Delegation led by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. I hope all Americans join us in celebrating the rich contributions made to our nation by Filipino Americans.”

“Filipino Americans are contributing to our history and culture in my district, throughout California and across the nation, and their unique stories are embedded into the American fabric,” said Congresswoman Young Kim. “I am so proud to represent a vibrant Filipino American community in Congress and thank my friend Rep. Ed Case for leading a bipartisan resolution to recognize Filipino American History Month.”

“Filipino Americans in southern California and across the country have made incredible contributions to our nation’s success,” said Rep. Steel. “I am proud to cosponsor this resolution commemorating Filipino American History Month and honoring the history, heritage, and culture of our Filipino communities,” said Congresswoman Michelle Steel. 

“I’m proud to join my Congressional colleagues to formally recognize Filipino American contributions to the United States,” said Congressman Juan Vargas. “This is an excellent time to further appreciate and learn from Filipino American history and culture across our nation. I’m honored to represent almost 60,000 Filipino Americans in Congress, and I’m proud to celebrate their legacy in my district and across our country during this special month and beyond.”

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

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