THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 2009 AS

Filipino American

History Month

 

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WHEREAS, since 1988, communities across California and the United States have set aside the month of October to acknowledge Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the economic and cultural history of this country; and

   

WHEREAS, more than 1.85 million people of Filipino heritage live in the United States, including more than 65,000 on the Peninsula, mainly concentrated in northern San Mateo County; and

   

WHEREAS, historical records indicate Filipino sailors landing in Northern California as crewmembers aboard Spanish galleons as early as 1587 and 1595; and by 1763, Filipinos had established a village on the outskirts of New Orleans, resulting in eight generations of Filipino Americans in the area; and

   

WHEREAS, the 1898 Spanish-American War made the Philippines an American colony, and Filipino Americans eventually ranged from ambitious college students to war brides to entrepreneurs to farm, railroad, postal and cannery workers throughout the western states; and

   

WHEREAS, individuals of Filipino heritage have served in every American conflict since the early 1900s, most notably in World War II; they are found in every level of American society, in every aspect of daily life, greatly contributing to the rich diversity from which the County of San Mateo, the State of California and the United States as a nation draw strength.

   

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County designates October 2009 as Filipino American History Month and encourages everyone to recognize, honor and celebrate the tremendous role played by Filipinos in North America for more than 420 years and counting.

   

Dated: OCTOBER 6, 2009

   
 

SUPERVISORS:

  
   

MARK CHURCH, PRESIDENT

   

CAROLE GROOM

   


RICHARD S. GORDON

   


ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

   


ADRIENNE J. TISSIER

     

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors