WHEREAS, This year will mark the 123rd Anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, establishing the first constitutional democracy in Asia. This came on the heels of a successful revolution against oppressive Spanish rule which was capped by an American victory in the Battle of Manila Bay of May 1898 and the Treaty of Paris in December of the same year, which transferred control of the Philippines from Spanish to American control; and
WHEREAS, The United States and Philippines fought together in the Pacific during World War II to defend democratic principles. In 1946, the Republic of the Philippines was granted full independence by the United States, and the two nations have remained friends and allies ever since; and
WHEREAS, Today, Filipino Americans account for the second-largest population of Asian Americans in the country; and
WHEREAS, About 4 million Filipino Americans continue to maintain their rich heritage by celebrating their culture and traditions, enhancing both the quality of their lives and the lives of all Americans, including over 30,000 Filipino Americans in the greater Philadelphia region; and
WHEREAS, Filipino Americans in the greater Philadelphia area supplement the City’s strong cultural diversity and contribute to the local economy in a wide range of professional fields including education, medicine, and engineering; and
WHEREAS, This year’s celebrations of the 123rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence will be hosted by the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia. Events will include a flag raising and proclamations on board the USS Olympia at Penn’s Landing on June 5th at 10:30 a.m. and a Philippine Flag Raising Ceremony at Philadelphia City Hall on June 11th at noon. All Philadelphians are welcome and encouraged to join their Filipino American friends and neighbors in celebrating the heritage and independence of the Philippines; and
WHEREAS, The Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia has made significant contributions to the local community and also in the Philippines. Its members are active in political events and coalitions in local, state, and federal government; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and celebrates the 2021 Philippine Independence Week Celebration from June 5th to June 20th; and
RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Nida N. Imperial, President of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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