WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-HI) led their colleagues in introducing a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing October as Filipino American History Month. This resolution honors and celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans, honoring the key role they have played in shaping our country.
“As we continue working to uplift the voices of Filipino Americans in Hawaii and throughout the country, I am proud to introduce this resolution to recognize the contributions and honor the culture and history of the Filipino American community,” said Senator Hirono. “From the first laborers who arrived in Hawaii to seek a better life, to the many leaders in business, health care, and our Armed Forces, Filipino Americans have contributed significantly to our nation’s diversity and helped to shape our identity as a country.”
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Mark Warner (D-VA).
In addition to Representative Case, the companion legislation introduced in the House was also led by Representatives James Moylan (R-GU) and David Scott (D-GA), and cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Susan DelBene (D-WA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Derek Tran (D-CA), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).
The full text of the resolution is available here.
Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of the Filipino American community in Hawaii and across the country. Senator Hirono has introduced similar resolutions to recognize Filipino American History Month and honor Filipino Americans’ contributions to the U.S. during multiple past Congresses. Since 2013, Senator Hirono has also led the introduction of the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. In April 2023, Senator Hirono, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, visited the Filipino World War II Veterans Monument at the Waipahu Public Library in Hawaii, which was dedicated this past February. In November 2022, Senator Hirono met with student leaders of the Filipino Curriculum Project, a project to create an elective course within the Hawaii Department of Education that tells the history and contributions of Filipino’s in Hawaii, to discuss the project’s achievements and plans for the future.
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