ACR 81, as introduced, Chiu. Philippine Independence Day.
This measure would recognize June 12, 2015, as the 117th 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.
P1 1WHEREAS, On June 12, 2015, the Filipino American
2community will celebrate the 117th Anniversary of Philippine
3Independence, and on this occasion it is appropriate to make special
4recognition of California’s Filipino American citizens and thank
5them for their countless contributions to our nation’s cultural,
6economic, and political heritage; and
7WHEREAS, The Philippine Declaration of Independence took
8place on June 12, 1898, in the town of Cavite El Viejo, now known
9as Kawit, located in the Philippine province of Cavite, when
10Filipino revolutionary forces, under the leadership of General
11Emilio Aguinaldo, publicly read the Act of Declaration of
12Independence proclaiming the sovereignty and independence of
13the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain, after
P2 1American and Filipino revolutionary forces defeated Spain at the
2Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War; and
3WHEREAS, The declaration was not recognized by the United
4States or Spain. Spain later ceded the Philippines to the United
5States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American
6War. The United States government did not recognize Philippine
7independence until the signing of the Treaty of Manila on July 4,
81946; and
9WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, July 4 was observed in
10the Philippines as Independence Day until President Diosdado
11Macapagal, upon the advice of historians and the urging of
12nationalists, signed the Republic Act No. 4166 into law on August
134, 1964, designating the country’s Independence Day as June 12.
14June 12 was previously observed as Flag Day and on that day many
15government buildings were urged to display the Philippine flag in
16their offices; and
17WHEREAS, As the years went on, Filipino Americans became
18very involved in the community and made numerous contributions
19in all aspects of American society and culture, especially in
20California; and
21WHEREAS, Many people of Filipino descent have contributed
22to great movements that have helped to shape our country and its
23role in the world, including the late Larry Dulay Itliong, labor
24organizer and the first vice president of the United Farm Workers
25Union, the late Philip Vera Cruz, cofounder of the United Farm
26Workers Union, and the late Carlos Bulosan, one of the first
27Filipino-American novelists to gain fame for his work; and
28WHEREAS, Many Filipino Americans have served with
29distinction as outstanding soldiers who fought as members of the
30United States Armed Forces for over a century and have sacrificed
31their lives in many wars, including World War II; and
32WHEREAS, Today there are more than 3.5 million people of
33Filipino American descent, many of whom have played vital roles
34in the development of the United States and have paved the way
35for Filipino Americans to continue to strengthen their roles in the
36broader society and to contribute to American and California
37politics, economy, and culture; now, therefore, be it
38Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
39thereof concurring, That the Legislature, in honor of the multitude
40of contributions that Filipino Americans have made to make this
P3 1a better country and state for all people, recognizes June 12, 2015,
2as the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and calls
3upon the people of the state to observe the month of June with
4appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; and be it further
5Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
6of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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