Report Title:

Filipino-American History Month

 

Description:

Designates the month of October as Filipino-American History Month to annually commemorate the contributions of Filipino-Americans to Hawaii and the United States.  (HB3343 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3343

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO FILIPINO-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the writings and teachings of American history have often overlooked the historical role of Asian-Americans, including the role of Filipino-Americans, whose heritage spans a colonial, political, economic, and cultural relationship with the United States.  The legislature also finds that the earliest documented presence of Filipinos in America was in 1587 in California and a settlement on the bayous of Louisiana in 1763, when seamen, later called Manilamen, jumped ship during the Spanish galleon trade era.

     Subsequent waves of migration followed and today Filipino- Americans continue to make a lasting impact on the history and heritage of Hawaii and the United States.  The legislature further finds that there have also been critical economic, cultural, social, and other notable contributions by Filipino- Americans to the development of United States history.  The legislature further finds that the prominence of Hawaii's Filipino and Filipino-American population warrants an official commemoration of the history and heritage of Filipino-Americans.

     The purpose of this Act is to designate the month of October as Filipino-American History Month to commemorate the contributions of Filipino-Americans to Hawaii and the United States.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§8-    Filipino-American History Month.  The month of October shall be known and designated as "Filipino-American History Month."  The month of October shall commemorate the contributions of Filipino-Americans to the history and heritage of Hawaii and the United States.  This month is not and shall not be construed as a state holiday."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.