Filipino American History Month garners bipartisan support in Congress

Bipartisan support between Democrats and Republicans is too rare in this Congress, but Members were able to put political differences aside to support Filipino American History Month.

As lawmakers in the US House and Senate move forward with a bipartisan, bicameral resolution commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month, Representative Robert Cortez (Bobby) Scott (D-VA) highlighted the deep significance of the recognition.

"As the only currently serving Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and Co-Chair of the US-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to co-lead this resolution... as we celebrate Filipino American History Month," said Scott. 

“This is a time to recognize Filipino Americans’ contributions as our veterans, our healthcare workers, our educators, and so much more. I have the privilege of representing a rich and vibrant Filipino American community in Hampton Roads and I am proud to celebrate this month with Filipino Americans across the nation.”

Despite widespread legislative support from a growing coalition of lawmakers representing a community of over 4 million Filipino Americans nationwide, the Trump White House has not issued a Proclamation or Statement of Support for Filipino American History Month. Historical records show that the last time a presidential proclamation honored the month was in 2015 under President Barack Obama. Every year under President Biden a Statement of Support came from the White House. 

Rep. Bobby Scott

Congressional push for recognition

The resolution was co-led in the House and Senate by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Representatives Ed Case (D-HI), Michelle Steel (R-CA), James Moylan (R-GU), and Jill Tokuda (D-HI).

 FYI: Read the Congressional             resolution here.

The measure celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans and calls on the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities.

Key leaders weighed in on the importance of the resolution:

“From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawaiʻi seeking a better life, to today’s leaders in business, healthcare, and our Armed Forces, the Filipino American community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our national identity.” said Hawaii's Sen. Herono, who has consistently introduced a resolution during her time int he Senate.

“Since 2019, and as the Member of Congress with the most Filipino Americans of any U.S. House district nationwide, said Hawaii's Case.

“I have joined many colleagues in doing so in order to recognize and celebrate the great contributions of Filipino Americans to our country, in government and law, music and entertainment, sports, business and countless other ventures.”

“The Filipino community in Southern California adds rich culture and heritage to our communities, and I am proud to serve as the voice of so many of them in Congress,” said Republican Rep. Steel, who is locked in tight race for her district. "I’m excited to celebrate the enormous contributions of Filipino Americans to our shared American story.”

Honoring History and Alliances

In introducing the resolution, lawmakers also emphasized the growing ties between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. They paid special tribute to the more than 250,000 Filipino soldiers who answered the call to protect and defend America and the Philippines in the Pacific theater during World War II—efforts formally recognized when veterans were awarded the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal.

“Since arriving in Hawaiʻi in the late 1800s to work on sugarcane and pineapple plantations, Filipinos played an important role in the history, culture, and fabric of Hawaiʻi.” added Rep. Tokuda.

“From serving in our Armed Forces to leading some of America’s most important labor movements, Filipino Americans have shaped our nation’s identity for the better,” said Senator Duckworth. “During Filipino American History Month, our resolution makes it clear: Illinois and our country will always be stronger because of our Filipino American community.”

The measure continues to draw broad support from dozens of additional co-sponsors in Congress as states like California, where Filipinos are the largest Asian American group, and Hawaii, where Filipinos make up a quarter of the state's population, and individual cities and communities nationwide observe Filipino American History Month throughout October.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, feel free to repost.

FilAm History Month: Filipino students are a quarter of Hawaii's public school students

A student-led movement, the Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE) has become the first in the United States to approve a statewide high school social studies course on Filipino history and culture.

By Hawaii State Teachers Association ​

October is Filipino American History Month, a time to recognize, celebrate, and learn about the rich history and contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States and Hawaiʻi. This month honors the achievements of the generations of Filipino Americans who came before.

The history of Filipinos in what is now the United States dates back centuries. According to the California Teachers Association, on October 18, 1587, the first recorded group of Filipinos, known as the “Luzones Indios,” arrived at Morro Bay, Calif. Their landing marks one of the earliest documented Filipino presences in North America.

Since then, Filipino Americans have made lasting contributions in agriculture, education, healthcare, business, public service, the arts, the fishing industry, and the U.S. military. Filipino American History Month was established in 1988 by the Filipino American National Historical Society to promote awareness of Filipino American history.

Today, about four million Filipino Americans live within the United States. Approximately 383,000 Filipino Americans live in Hawaiʻi, making up about 26% of the state’s total population. In the public school system, approximately 38,400 to 39,500 Filipino students (roughly 22% to 23% of total enrollment) attend Hawaiʻi public and charter schools, making them the second-largest ethnic student group after Native Hawaiians.

Filipino labor history in Hawaiʻi began on December 20, 1906, when the first 15 Sakada (contract plantation workers) arrived in Honolulu by ship to cut sugarcane. Recruited by the Hawaiʻi Sugar Planters’ Association, over 125,000 Filipinos migrated to the islands over the next four decades to face grueling 10-hour workdays under harsh conditions.

On Sept. 9, 2006, the Kauaʻi Filipino Centennial Celebration Committee dedicated a concrete marker in the Hanapēpē Town Park in memory of 16 Filipino workers killed by police during a territory-wide strike of Filipino plantation workers in 1924. Four Kauaʻi police officers were also killed in the incident known as the Hanapepe Massacre.

A Farrington High teacher, along with other educators and students, recently developed a new Filipino history and culture class for Hawaiʻi high school students, which the National Education Association highlighted to a national audience in February.

The service of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the military during World War II has often gone unnoticed and unrecognized. More than 260,000 Filipino and Filipino American service members joined the U.S. military during this time.

However, their struggle for recognition hasn’t received much attention. Following the war, the Rescission Act of 1946 denied many Filipino veterans the benefits promised for their military service. The resulting fight for acknowledgment, equity, and justice became an important part of the Filipino American experience and serves as a reminder that history includes both triumphs and challenges.

Organizations such as the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) help tell these stories by educating the public about the contributions of Filipino and American World War II veterans. Through its educational efforts and its free online resources, FilVetREP ensures that future generations understand the important history of these service members.

Filipino American History Month is a celebration of the past and also a reminder of the contributions Filipinos continue to make to American society today.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, feel free to repost.