ACR 170, as amended, Bonta. Philippine Independence Day.
This measure would recognize June 12, 2016, as the 118th 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, 2016, the Filipino American
2community will celebrate the 118th Anniversary of Philippine
P1 1Independence, and on this occasion it is appropriate to make special
2recognition of California’s Filipino American citizens and thank
3them for their countless contributions to our nation’s cultural,
4economic, and political heritage; and
5WHEREAS, The Philippine Declaration of Independence took
6place on June 12, 1898, in the town of Cavite El Viejo, now known
7as Kawit, located in the Philippine province of Cavite, when
8Filipino revolutionary forces, under the leadership of General
9Emilio Aguinaldo, publicly read the Act of Declaration of
10Independence proclaiming the sovereignty and independence of
11the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain, after
12American and Filipino revolutionary forces defeated Spain at the
13Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War; and
14WHEREAS, The declaration was not recognized by the United
15States or Spain. Spain later ceded the Philippines to the United
16States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American
17War. The United States government did not recognize Philippine
18independence until the signing of the Treaty of Manila on July 4,
191946; and
20WHEREAS, For nearly two decades, July 4 was observed in
21the Philippines as Independence Day until President Diosdado
22Macapagal, upon the advice of historians and the urging of
23nationalists, signed the Republic Act No. 4166 into law on August
244, 1964, designating the country’s Independence Day as June 12.
25June 12 was previously observed as Flag Day and on that day many
26government buildings were urged to display the Philippine flag in
27their offices; and
28WHEREAS, As the years went on, Filipino Americans became
29very involved in the community and made numerous contributions
30in all aspects of American society and culture, especially in
31California; and
32WHEREAS, Many people of Filipino descent have contributed
33to great movements that have helped to shape our country and its
34role in the world, including the late Larry Dulay Itliong, labor
35organizer and the first vice president of the United Farm Workers
36union, the late Philip Vera Cruz, cofounder of the United Farm
37Workers union, and the late Carlos Bulosan, one of the first
38Filipino-American novelists to gain fame for his work; and
39WHEREAS, Many Filipino Americans have served with
40distinction as outstanding soldiers who fought as members of the
P3 1Armed Forces for over a century and have sacrificed their lives in
2many wars, including World War II; and
3WHEREAS, Today there are more than 3.5 million people of
4Filipino American descent, many of whom have played vital roles
5in the development of the United States and have paved the way
6for Filipino Americans to continue to strengthen their roles in the
7broader society and to contribute to American and California
8politics, economy, and culture; now, therefore, be it
9Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
10thereof concurring, That the Legislature, in honor of the multitude
11of contributions that Filipino Americans have made to make this
12a better country and state for all people, hereby recognizes June
1312, 2016, as the 118th Anniversary of Philippine Independence
14and calls upon the people of the state to observe the month of June
15with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities; and be it
16further
17Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
18of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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