CAPAC Members Celebrate Filipino American History Month

In recognition of Filipino American History Month, which begins today and lasts throughout the month of October, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) held a press conference to highlight their support for legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino Veterans of World War II. CAPAC Members also released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am thrilled to join millions of Filipino Americans nationwide in celebrating Filipino American History Month. Throughout the month of October, we recognize the many contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our great nation –from cultivating our agriculture industries as migrant workers in California and Hawaii, to flourishing in academia, business, healthcare, politics, and the arts. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, let us also recognize the brave service of our World War II Filipino veterans and their families. In Congress, I will continue to work with my CAPAC colleagues to push for legislation to grant these veterans with the benefits and recognition they deserve.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):

“The rich history of Filipinos in Hawaii began with the sakadas who left the Philippines more than a hundred years ago to work on Hawaii’s sugar plantations. Today, Filipinos Americans are a cultural pillar in Hawaii and across the country, and have made countless contributions to our nation. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, I will continue my work to ensure Filipino World War II veterans receive the benefits and recognition they have earned, and push for legislation that allows them to reunite with their children and fixes our broken immigration system.”

Senator Brian Schatz (HI):

“The rich traditions and strong values of the Filipino community are an important part of Hawai‘i’s vibrant culture. For generations, their contributions and achievements have made a lasting positive impact on our state and our country. Perhaps some of the most important contributions came from the more than 200,000 Filipinos who fought alongside American service members during World War II. Today, far too many of them have not received the basic veterans’ rights they earned. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, we must continue our efforts to honor those brave Filipino veterans and their families by finally giving them the benefits and recognition they deserve.”

Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair:

“I join Filipino Americans nationwide, and especially in my home island of Guam, in celebrating Filipino American History Month. I recognize the countless contributions that Filipino Americans make to our nation and the world. Filipino Americans have been instrumental to the growth of the United States, and on Guam, Filipinos have also had a tremendous positive influence in our community. Having shared experiences with Chamorros of the devastation of World War II, Filipinos helped rebuild Guam’s post-war infrastructure. Since then, Filipinos have been and continue to be an important part of our island community, and their contributions benefit every sector of our society. Filipino American’s continued contributions are an indelible part of America’s society, and I hope that Congress will act on legislation aimed at rectifying post injustices towards the Filipino American and other communities who suffered injustices during World War II.”

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“Every October, we celebrate Filipino American History Month to highlight the contributions they have made to our country. I represent the only Asian American majority district in the continental United States, and the Filipino population contributes to the fabric of Silicon Valley. While it is wonderful to celebrate the beauty of Filipino culture and history, we must also remember that we have a responsibility to highlight the mistreatment of Filipino veterans who fought with Americans in WWII. Of the 260,000 Filipino veterans who fought in WWII, the surviving 18,000 are still waiting to receive the benefits they were promised. In a country where we take pride in honoring the service of our veterans, it is unconscionable that we are not delivering on our promise to provide them with full veterans’ benefits. I hope that as we pause to recognize the differences Filipinos make in our country, we will also recognize the sacrifices they have made to make America stronger.”

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02):

“For centuries, Filipino Americans have made exceptional contributions to U.S. businesses, culture and arts, government, technology, sports, health care, military, and more. In Hawai?i, Filipino Americans have been integral to our history, from driving our plantation-based economy in the early 20th century to becoming leaders across every industry in our state and across the country today. As we celebrate Filipino American History Month and the many positive impacts the Filipino community has had, we must also continue to fight for issues like family reunification and honoring our Filipino veterans.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06):

“In honor of Filipino American History Month, I am renewing my efforts to pass my legislation that seeks benefits for Filipino veterans who served in World War II. Filipino veterans are entitled to the same recognition and benefits that all former U.S. service members receive. They fought side by side with U.S. troops and put their lives on the line to preserve and protect our democracy. It is unconscionable that they continue to be denied the benefits they earned for their service to our country. We must right this wrong!”

Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03):

“As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, we reflect on the profound impact that both the country of the Philippines and Filipino Americans here in the United States have had on the fabric of our society. There are over 3 million Americans of Filipino ancestry in the United States today and I am proud to say that I am one of them. Filipino Americans have contributed to American life and culture in countless ways. Roughly 250,000 Filipino soldiers and guerrilla fighters served under or alongside United States armed forces during World War II, and Filipino Americans across the country are leaders in their fields. From science to the arts, there are many Filipino Americans across the country serving as leaders in their communities. This month gives us the opportunity to promote Filipino culture, celebrate our extraordinary diversity as a country, and provide us a time to consider the numerous contributions that Filipino Americans have made to our country.”

Congressman Mark Takai (HI-01):

“In October, we take time to recognize and honor the tremendous contributions of Filipino Americans to our country. I am proud to represent a district with one of the most robust Filipino communities in our nation. That is why the first bill I introduced in Congress was the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act, a cause long championed by the Hawaii Congressional Delegation. It is time to thank the Filipino soldiers who fought so bravely alongside the Allied Forces in World War II and were granted U.S. citizenship for their valor, by reuniting them with their families still in the Philippines. While this action can’t turn back the clock, it is the right thing to do.”

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994. https://capac-chu.house.gov/.