Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 47

Introduced by Senator Corbett

May 23, 2013

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 47—Relative to Philippine Independence Day.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 47, as introduced, Corbett. Philippine Independence Day.

This measure would recognize June 12, 2013, as the 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, and would call upon the people of the state to observe the month of June with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, On June 12, 2013, the Filipino American
community will celebrate the 115th Anniversary of Philippine
Independence, and on this occasion it is appropriate to make special
recognition of California’s Filipino American citizens and thank
them for their countless contributions to our nation’s cultural,
economic, and political heritage; and

WHEREAS, The Philippine Declaration of Independence took
place on June 12, 1898, in the town of Cavite el Viejo (now known
as Kawit) in the province of Cavite in the Philippines when Filipino
revolutionary forces under the leadership of General Emilio
Aguinaldo publicly read the Act of Declaration of Independence
proclaiming the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine
Islands from the colonial rule of Spain, after United States and
Filipino revolutionary forces defeated Spain at the Battle of Manila
Bay during the Spanish-American War; and

WHEREAS, The declaration was not recognized by the United
States or Spain. Spain later ceded the Philippines to the United
States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American
War. The United States government did not recognize Philippine
Independence until the signing of the Treaty of Manila on July 4,
1946; and

WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, July 4 was observed in
the Philippines as Independence Day until President Diosdado
Macapagal, upon the advice of historians and the urging of
nationalists, signed the Republic Act No. 4166 into law on August
4, 1964, designating the country’s Independence Day as June 12.
June 12 had previously been observed as Flag Day and on that day
many government buildings had been urged to display the
Philippine flag in their offices; and

WHEREAS, As the years went on, Filipino Americans became
very involved in the community and made numerous contributions
in all aspects of American society and culture, especially in
California; and

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans have also played a major role
in California politics. There have been city mayors and other public
officials who have shaped the development of California over the
years who have been of Filipino descent; including, Tita Alice
Bulos, also known as the Godmother of Filipino American politics,
our very own Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye,
Mona Pasquil, former acting Lieutenant Governor of California,
the Mayor of Milpitas Jose Esteves, Union City Council Members
Jim Navarro and Pat Gacoscos, Daly City Vice Mayor Ray
Buenaventura, Daly City Council Member Mike Guingona, and
Alameda Vice Mayor Rob Bonta; and

WHEREAS, Many people of Filipino descent have contributed
to great movements that have helped to shape our country and its
role in the world, including the late Larry Dulay Itliong, labor
organizer and the first vice president of the United Farm Workers
Union; and the late Philip Vera Cruz, cofounder of the United
Farm Workers Union; and

WHEREAS, Many Filipino Americans have served with
distinction as outstanding soldiers who fought as members of the
United States Armed Forces for over a century and have sacrificed
their lives in many wars, including World War II; and

WHEREAS, Today there are 3.4 million people of Filipino
American descent, many of whom have played vital roles in the
development of the United States and have paved the way for many
Filipino Americans to continue to strengthen their roles in the
broader society, and to contribute to American and California
politics, economy, and culture; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature, in honor of the multitude
of contributions that Filipino Americans have made to make this
a better county and state for all people, recognizes June 12, 2013,
as the 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and calls
upon the people of the state to observe the month of June with
appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.