Recognizing and honoring the week of June 6th through June 14th as Philippine Independence Week.

WHEREAS, This year will mark the 110th

Anniversary of the Philippines Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1898 establishing the first constitutional democracy in Asia; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Philippines fought together in the Pacific during World War II to defend democratic principles and have remained friends and allies ever since; and

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans are the fastest growing Asian population in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Nearly two million Filipino Americans continue to maintain their rich heritage by celebrating their culture and traditions, enhancing both the quality of their lives and lives of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, The Filipino American community of Greater Philadelphia is well over 30,000 strong; and

WHEREAS, The presence of Filipino - Americans in the Greater Philadelphia area is also adding to the cultural diversity of Philadelphia as well as contributing and making great strides in professional fields such as medicine, engineering and educational teachers; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and honor the more than 30,000 Filipino-Americans living in the City of Philadelphia by declaring the week of June 6th

through June 14th

as Philippine Independence Week.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Nazario Pidlaoan, Jr., President of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere respect, deep admiration and high regard this legislative body has for all Filipino-Americans.

End