WHEREAS, On June 12, 2017, the Filipino American community will celebrate the 119th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, and on this occasion it is appropriate to make special recognition of California’s Filipino Americans 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, located in the Philippine province of Cavite, 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 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 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 was previously observed as Flag Day and on that day many government buildings 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, 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, the late Philip Vera Cruz, cofounder of the United Farm Workers union, and the late Carlos Bulosan, one of the first Filipino American novelists to gain fame for his work; and

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

WHEREAS, Today there are more than 3.5 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 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