WHEREAS, The earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the continental United States was the date of October 18, 1587, when the first "Luzones Indios" set foot in Morro Bay, California; and

WHEREAS, The Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes the year of 1763 as the date of the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States in St. Malo, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, Washington State contributed to this history with the recognition of the 1888 documents of Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the time the largest lumber mill in the world, as listing a "Manilla," the first known employee from the Philippines in the Pacific Northwest; and

WHEREAS, These events set in motion a focus on the story of our nation's past from a new perspective by concentrating on the economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made in countless ways toward the development of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Efforts must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history and culture, as mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino American National Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role models to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with the richness of their ethnicity and the value of their legacy; and

WHEREAS, Washingtonians who have made a national contribution to American culture and society include Filipino Americans Carlos Bulosan, Roy Baldoz, Jose Calugas, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Pio DeCano Sr., Trinadad Rojo, Bob Santos, Delores Sibonga, Silvestre Tangalan, Bernie Reyes Whitebear, Velma Veloria, Harry Bucsit, Rey Pascua, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Washington State is the location of historic Filipino American communities, including Wapato, Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Tacoma, Auburn, Bremerton, Pateros, and others; and

WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of the Philippines continue to hold a special bond, which is supported by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest; and

WHEREAS, Filipino community-based organizations such as the Filipino Community of Seattle provide important community services and serve as a center for the Filipino community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate October 2015 as the 428th anniversary of the presence of Filipinos in the now United States and as part of an ongoing opportunity to study the advancement of Filipino Americans in the history of the State of Washington; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to Rey Pascua, President of the Filipino American Community of the Yakima Valley; Alma Kern, President of the Filipino Community of Seattle; Alex Borromeo, President of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest; and Velma Veloria, former Washington State Representative for the 11th district, for further distribution to the Filipino American National Historical Society, to Wing Luke Asian Museum and other Asian and Pacific Islander organizations, to other historical societies and government entities, and to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.