Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
02/28/2023 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB2 | |
| HB23 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 23-FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
3:26:12 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 23, "An Act establishing the month of October as
Filipino American History Month."
3:26:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA, Alaska State Legislature, prime
sponsor, introduced HB 23. She presented a PowerPoint
presentation, titled "HB 23 Filipino American History Month"
[included in the committee packet]. She began on slide 2,
highlighting Jose Rozal as a national hero of the Philippines
for his aide in liberating the country from Spanish colonials.
She discussed the substantial impact that Filipinos have had on
Alaska, as the largest Asian American Pacific Islander group and
the biggest immigrant group in the state. She conveyed that HB
23 would commemorate Filipino American History Month, which had
been celebrated since 1992.
3:29:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA advanced to slide 3, which illustrated the
following Filipino contributions to the U.S.: Firstly, in WWI,
over 250,000 Filipinos served in the U.S. Army in the far East
under general Douglas MacArthur; Secondly, Larry Itliong
organized a cannery workers' union in Alaska and persuaded
Ceasar Chavez to start the Delano Grape Strike of 1965; Thirdly,
more than 150,000 Filipino nurses emigrated to America,
strengthening labor shortages in the health care sector.
3:31:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA detailed the history of Filipinos in Alaska
on slide 4, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Filipinos are the immigrant group in Alaska, with over
27,000 Filipinos residing in the state.
Since 1788, Filipinos have been in Alaska through all
walks of life: whaling crewmembers, cannery workers,
community and religious leaders, small business
owners, teacher, and more.
3:33:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA concluded by discussing Filipino American
History Month on slide 5, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Recognized in 1992 by the Filipino
American Historical Society to celebrate Filipino
history in the United States
Recognized in Congress in 2009 FAHM has been
recognized by the California State Legislature and
Hawaii State Legislature
3:35:49 PM
CHAIR SHAW invited questions from members of the committee.
3:35:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked how Filipino American History Month
had been historically celebrated in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA recounted examples of various celebrations,
including the annual Filipino festival in Ketchikan and
gatherings at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She
emphasized the importance of cultural gatherings to talk
specifically about Filipino history and to build connections
between different communities.
3:37:21 PM
ROSE HART, Staff, Representative Genevieve Mina, Alaska State
Legislature, provided additional context on the ways in which
Filipino Americans were honored, recognized, and celebrated.
Specific to the Alaska State Legislature, she cited House Joint
Resolution 15, which recognized the contributions of Filipino
vets during World War II, and again via Senate Concurrent
Resolution 14, which recognized Filipino American History Month
in 2010.
3:38:15 PM
CHAIR SHAW, referencing his past military service, mentioned
three six-month tours he spent in the Philippines, during which
time he worked on behalf of the Philippine Embassy.
3:38:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the bill sponsor had a plan
to educate students on Filipino American History Month.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA said no concrete outreach plan had been
developed at present; nonetheless, she acknowledged that it
would be a great opportunity to raise awareness. She welcomed
the idea of creating relationships with different community
members who could teach, educate, and share knowledge with
children.
3:40:19 PM
CHAIR SHAW proceeded with invited testimony.
3:40:37 PM
EDRIC CARRILLO, President, Filipino Community Inc., paraphrased
the following written remarks [original punctuation provided]:
I strongly urge your support for HB 23, which seeks to
establish October as Filipino-American History Month
in Alaska state statute. As a Filipino-American and
President of the Filipino Community Inc., I have seen
the positive impact of recognizing and celebrating
culture and community in promoting understanding and
success.
The Filipino community in Alaska has made significant
contributions to our economy, culture, and society.
Filipinos have significantly influenced the Alaskan
workforce in education, health care, and information
technology to name a few. Filipinos have also
contributed greatly to the cultural fabric of Alaska
through our culinary traditions, music, dance,
language, and literature.
Celebrating Filipino history and culture has many
benefits. Learning about other cultures and traditions
can help break down barriers and improve communication
and understanding between communities. It can also
provide an important context for issues and improve
government services.
Furthermore, recognizing the history and achievements
of Filipino Americans in Alaska can serve as an
inspiration for future generations to participate in
community services and work towards a better future
for all of us. I hope to see this bill passed into law
so that Alaskans from all backgrounds can celebrate
our common heritage and work together to build a
stronger and more vibrant state.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward
to working with you and other members of the
legislature to pass this important legislation.
3:43:27 PM
GABRIEL GARCIA, PhD, Professor, Public Health, UAA, shared his
personal history and contextualized the impact of learning about
his history as a Filipino American. He stated that knowing
Filipino American history made him want to do better as a person
and to pay forward the sacrifices of those how came before him.
He encouraged the committee to pass the bill, adding that the
cost to the state was zero, but the impact would be priceless.
3:46:36 PM
E.J. DAVID recounted the history of the first Filipinos' arrival
in Alaska. He emphasized the significance of Filipino culture
and their long rich history in Alaska, highlighting the large
Filipino communities within the state. He noted that Filipinos
made deep connection with indigenous peoples of Alaska, adding
that Filipinos and Alaska Natives worked together to fight
discrimination and other issues. He provided examples of
notable Alaska Native Filipino leaders. He concluded by
conveying both the hardships and resilience of Filipinos in
Alaska and urged passage of the HB 23 to recognize Filipino
Alaskans by officially establishing October as Filipino American
History Month.
3:51:13 PM
CHAIR SHAW opened public testimony on HB 23; after ascertaining
that no one wished to testify online or in person, he closed
public testimony and announced that HB 23 would be held over.