HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 220 Offered January 15, 2008 Designating June 12, in 2008 and in each succeeding year, as Philippine Independence Day in Virginia. ---------- Patron-- Hall ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, the Philippine Independence Day is a celebration of the Filipino-American community in America and its main purpose is to create awareness of Philippine culture, raise funds for charity projects in the United States and the Philippines, and provide an opportunity for Filipino Americans to rekindle and share their rich culture and heritage with their fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Philippine Declaration of Independence occurred on June 12, 1898, when Filipino revolutionary forces proclaimed sovereignty and independence for the Philippine Islands from the colonial rule of Spain after the latter was defeated in the Spanish-American War; and the Spanish government ceded the Philippines to the United States in the 1898 Treaty of Paris; and

WHEREAS, the Filipino-American community is the second largest Asian-American group and the largest Southeast Asian American group in the United States; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, the Filipino-American population numbered approximately four million, or 1.5 percent of the United States population and more than half of the community is either naturalized or American-born, while the remainder are Filipino nationals or dual citizens of both the Philippines and the United States; and

WHEREAS, Filipinos have shown their caring nature especially in their gravitation to professions in the health care industry, as well as their commitment and hard work in careers in public school systems throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, new arrivals of Filipinos in Virginia provide services and expertise in the health care, education, information technology, and countless other industries, accounting for Filipino Americans having some of the highest educational attainment rates in the United States with 47.9 percent of all Filipino Americans over the age of 25 having a bachelor's degree; and

WHEREAS, the patriotism of Filipino Americans has never wavered, as demonstrated by their continuous enrollment in the United States Armed Forces, and the Philippines and the Filipino community have maintained close ties with the United States for over a century, especially as allies in the fight against global terrorism; and

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans have made numerous invaluable contributions to the prosperity and advancement of the Commonwealth and their rich heritage adds to the diverse culture and history of Virginia and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly designate June 12, in 2008 and in each succeeding year, as Philippine Independence Day in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates post the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.