BILL NUMBER: SCR 78 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 9, 2014
INTRODUCED BY Senator Corbett
FEBRUARY 3, 2014
Relative to Philippine Independence Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 78, as amended, Corbett. Philippine Independence Day.
This measure would recognize June 12, 2014, as the 116th
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, 2014, the Filipino American community will
celebrate the 116th 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
El Viejo, now known as Kawit)
Kawit, located in the Philippine province of
Cavite in the Philippines Cavite, when
Filipino revolutionary forces forces,
under the leadership of General Emilio Aguinaldo
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 American 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 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
was previously been observed
as Flag Day and on that day many government buildings had
been were 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 of Filipino descent who have shaped the
development of California over the years who have been of
Filipino descent; including, years, including:
Tita Alice Bulos, also known as the Godmother
"Grandmother of Filipino American
politics, politics"; our very own Chief Justice
of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye,
Cantil-Sakauye; Mona Pasquil, former acting Lieutenant Governor
of California, the Mayor California; former
City of Milpitas Mayor Henry Manayan, the first individual of
Filipino ancestry elected mayor in the United States; City of
Milpitas Mayor Jose Esteves,
Esteves; Union City Council Members Jim Navarro and Pat
Gacoscos, Gacoscos; Daly City
Vice Mayor Ray Council Members Raymond A.
Buenaventura , Daly City Council Member Mike Guingona, and
Alameda Vice Mayor and Michael P. Guingona; Assembly
Member Rob Bonta; Acting Head of Post, Deputy Consul
General of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco Jaime
Ramon Ascalon; Alameda City Council Members Stewart Go Chen and Tony
Daysog; Union Sanitary District Board of Directors Vice President
Manny Fernandez; New Haven Unified School District Board of Education
President Jonas Dino and Board Member Linda Canlas; Ci ty
of Carson Mayor Pro Tempore Elito Macapagal Santarina; Berryessa
Union School District Board of Trustees Member Thelma Boac; San José
Evergreen Community College District Board of Trustees Members Wendy
Ho and Rudy Nasol; City of Artesia Council Member Victor Manalo; Town
of Colma Council Member Joanne F. del Rosario; City of Hercules
Mayor Myrna de Vera; City of Cerritos Mayor Mark E. Pulido; City of
West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon; Evergreen Elementary
School District Clerk Vince Songcayawon; San Mateo County
Harbor District Board of Commissioners President Robert Bernardo;
City of Vallejo Vice Mayor Bob Sampayan and City Council Members
Jesus "Jess" Malgapo and Rozzana Verder-Aliga; City of Walnut Mayor
Antonio "Tony" Cartagena; Jefferson Elementary School District Board
of Education Member Joseph Otayde; and City of San Bruno Vice Mayor
Ken Ibarra; 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;
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 States, and have
paved the way for many Filipino Americans to continue to strengthen
their roles in the broader society, 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 country and state for all people, recognizes June 12, 2014, as
the 116th 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.