WHEREAS, The State of Washington has recognized the proud history of Filipino Americans since 2010; and

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

WHEREAS, The Filipino American National Historical Society recognizes that the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States was established in 1763 in Saint Malo, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, Washington State contributed to this history by recognizing the 1888 documents listing a "Manilla" as an employee of Port Blakely on Bainbridge Island, which was the largest lumber mill in the world at that time, this is 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 the development of the United States; and

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

WHEREAS, Filipinos are one of the largest Asian/Pacific Islander communities in Washington State and are the third largest in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Several historic Filipino American communities are located in the State of Washington, including Wapato, Bainbridge Island, Seattle, Auburn, Bremerton, Tacoma, Pateros, and others; and

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans living in Washington who have made contributions to American culture and society include: Carlos Bulosan, Roy Baldoz, Harry Bucsit, Jose Calugas, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Pio DeCano Sr., Trinidad Rojo, Box Santos, Delores Sibonga, Silvestre Tangalan, Bernie Reyes Whitebear, Velma Veloria, Rey Pascua, and others; and

WHEREAS, Filipinos have served with distinction in all branches of the United States military, as exemplified by the 2017 United States Congressional Gold Medal, awarded for their valor and sacrifices during World War II; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, The Filipino American National Historical Society established October as Filipino American History Month;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all citizens to join in celebrating the culture and heritage of Filipino Americans in October, the Filipino American National Historical Society's designated Filipino American History Month, and the four hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the first documented presence of Filipinos in continental North America; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Rey Pascua, President of the Filipino-American Community of the Yakima Valley for further distribution to the Filipino American National Historical Society, to Asian and Pacific Islander organizations, to other historical societies and government entities, and to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.