NOON SESSION

Senate Chamber, Olympia

Monday, February 22, 2016

The Senate was called to order at 12:00 o’clock noon by the President of the Senate, Lt. Governor Owen presiding.

No roll call was taken.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Schoesler, the reading of the Journal of the previous day was dispensed with and it was approved.

MOTION

On motion of Senator Schoesler, and without objection, the Senate advanced to the fourth order of business.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

February 18, 2016

MR. PRESIDENT:

The House has passed:

ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 6195,

and the same is herewith transmitted.

BERNARD DEAN, Deputy Chief Clerk

February 18, 2016

MR. PRESIDENT:

The House has passed:

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4401,

and the same is herewith transmitted.

BERNARD DEAN, Deputy Chief Clerk

MOTION

On motion of Senator Schoesler, and without objection, the Senate advanced to the eighth order of business.

MOTION

Senator Honeyford moved adoption of the following resolution:

SENATE RESOLUTION

8709

By Senators Honeyford, Hasegawa, and Conway

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 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, Harry Bucsit, Jose Calugas, Fred and Dorothy Cordova, Pio DeCano Sr., Trinadad Rojo, Bob Santos, Delores Sibonga, Silvestre Tangalan, Bernie Reyes Whitebear, Velma Veloria, Rey Pascua, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Filipinos are one of the largest Asian/Pacific Islander communities in Washington State, and in the United States; 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, Filipinos have served with special distinction in all of the United States military branches; 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, The national office of the Filipino American National Historical Society is located in the city of Seattle, Washington; and

WHEREAS, Filipino community-based organizations such as the Filipino Community of Seattle, the Filipino American Community organizations of the Yakima Valley, South Puget Sound, Kitsap County, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and others 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 2016 as the 429th 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; Sheila Burris, Executive Director 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 the Wing Luke Asian Museum and other Asian and Pacific Islander organizations, to other historical societies and civil entities, and to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Senators Honeyford, Hasegawa and King spoke in favor of adoption of the resolution.

The President declared the question before the Senate to be the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 8709.

The motion by Senator Honeyford carried and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

MOTION

At 12:05 p.m., on motion of Senator Schoesler, the Senate adjourned until 12:00 o'clock noon, Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

BRAD OWEN, President of the Senate

HUNTER G. GOODMAN, Secretary of the Senate