Recognizing and celebrating the 2024 Philippine Independence Week Celebration in Philadelphia, taking place from June 1st to June 15th.

WHEREAS, This year marks the 126th anniversary of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, which established the first constitutional democracy on the Asian continent; and

WHEREAS, The declaration came on the heels of a successful revolution against oppressive Spanish rule, culminating with the defeat of the Spanish by the United States in the battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898; and

WHEREAS, The ratification of the Treaty of Paris in December of that year transferred control of the Philippines from Spain to the United States; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, After having fought together in defense of democratic principles during World War II, the United States granted full independence to the Republic of the Philippines, and the two nations have remained friends and allies ever since; and

WHEREAS, Today, Filipino Americans account for the third-largest population of Asian Americans within the United States, behind only Chinese and Indian Americans; and

WHEREAS, Over four million Filipino Americans, including more than 30,000 in the greater Philadelphia region, maintain their rich heritage by celebrating their culture and traditions, enhancing the quality of their own lives and enriching the lives of all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Filipino Americans in the greater Philadelphia area augment 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 Philippine Independence are hosted by the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, and include flag raising ceremonies aboard the USS Olympia at Penn’s Landing on the morning of June 1, and on the north apron of Philadelphia City Hall at noon on June 12; and

WHEREAS, All Philadelphians are welcome and encouraged to join with 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 economy as well as that of the Philippines, and its members are civically engaged and active at every level of government; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and celebrate the 2024 Philippine Independence Week Celebration in Philadelphia, taking place from June 1st to June 15th .

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Roman Ventura, President of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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