FilAm History Month: Biden-Harris reach out to Filipino Americans

FILIPINO AMERICANS FOR BIDEN

Democrat Joe Biden seeks Filipino American support in his quest for President.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the Democrat Party's nominees for President and Vice President, respectively, recognized Filipino Americans Friday as Filipino American History Month got underway.

In a statement issued Friday, Biden emphasized the role Filipino American nurses are playing in fighting the coronavirus pandemic that has claimed over 200,000 American lives since the nation's first recorded coronavirus-related death in February.

"Their heroism is a reminder that Filipino Americans embody the heart, the courage, and the values that define the United States," he stated. "We are a nation that has always been renewed by immigration and fortified by our diversity."

Biden's statement reads:

"Jill and I are proud to recognize Filipino American History Month and to honor the immense contributions that Filipino Americans make to our society. Whether fighting proudly in our armed services or fighting to advance social justice across the United States, Filipino Americans have enriched and strengthened every aspect of our country.

"And this year, as we battle a pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than 205,000 people in the United States and thrown our economy into turmoil, we have depended on the countless Filipino American essential frontline workers and caregivers who have helped carry our communities through this crisis. And we offer our prayers to the families of Filipino American nurses, who represent 4% of nurses in the United States, but make up more than 30% of nursing deaths due to Covid-19. Their heroism is a reminder that Filipino Americans embody the heart, the courage, and the values that define the United States. We are a nation that has always been renewed by immigration and fortified by our diversity. As President, I will build on that proud American legacy, including by celebrating the history of the Filipino American community and expanding access to a future of opportunity for all."

Biden's running mate, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, represents California, the state with the nation's largest number of Americans of Filipino descent, 1.7 million, and where Filipinos make up 20% of the state's registered nurses, also issued a statement:

“Whether it’s breaking ground in the legal profession, art, sports, politics, service to our country, or countless other contributions to our communities – Filipino Americans are celebrated across California and our country for their courage, strength, and conviction. I’m proud to join my Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus colleagues as we not only lift up the stories of current and past visionaries, but also forge a path for the next generation to pursue their dreams. I hope everyone takes time to learn about the great contributions of Filipino Americans in communities across the country.”

California is also the place where the first recorded landing of any Asian on the shores of what was to become the continental United States. It was this historical event that the Filipino American National Historical Society designated October as Filipino American History Month.

On October 18, 1587, the Manila Galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza commanded by Pedro de Unamuno entered Morro Bay. A landing party included sailors from the Philippines landed at Morro Bay to claim the territory for Spain. Two days later the party was attacked with the indigenous people and one of the Filipino crewmen was killed.