SCR 14-FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH  9:30:25 AM CHAIR MENARD announced the next order of business would be SCR 14. SENATOR EGAN, sponsor of SCR 14, said this resolution designates October 2010 as Filipino American History Month. Filipinos have a rich history and culture in Alaska. The first recorded Filipino in Alaska came by ship in 1788. In early Alaska history, Filipinos worked on whaling ships, in the Alaska-Juneau and Treadwell Gold Mines and in various canneries. The Filipino American community is the largest Asian American group in Alaska with 18,000 people. Alaska has had strong Filipino leadership: the Alaska Legislature had the first Filipino American female legislator in the nation. Thelma Buchholdt came to Alaska in 1951 and served in the House of Representatives from 1974-1982. The intention of SCR 14 is to celebrate and honor the Filipino community in Alaska. CHAIR MENARD asked if October 2010 a celebration of anything else. SENATOR EGAN replied that October 18th is Alaska Day. CHAIR MENARD said having Filipino American Month join ranks with Alaska day is appropriate. 9:33:56 AM CHAIR MENARD opened testimony. ELLERY LUMBAB, originally from the Philippines, representing himself and his family, said his father who is 88 now and fought with American World War II soldiers against the Japanese. He said his family consists of his mom and dad, their 15 children, their spouses, and 62 grandchildren. He is the artistic director of the Alitaptap Philippine Folkloric Group of the Filipino Community Incorporated (FCI) in Juneau. The FCI is the oldest organized Filipino community in Alaska. Filipinos have contributed a great deal to Alaska working as laborers in the fish canneries and gold mines, in retail and food businesses, and helping to build Alaska's economy since 1788. Today, Filipino teachers, bankers, doctors and nurses, are involved in almost every facet of Alaskan society. Maintaining original Filipino cultures and traditions among younger Filipino Americans in Alaska is important. 9:36:34 AM RAFAEL CASTANOS, representing himself, said he was born in Manila. He was one of the student leaders demonstrating in the streets during the Filipino revolution of 1986, kicking out Marcos. In November 2009, the FCI president, Jenny Strickler, told Mr. Castanos that she had attended the Filipino American Historical Society in Anchorage. He explored the possibility of declaring a Filipino American history month. He noted that there are 4 million Filipinos in the U.S. He also noted that he obtained a joint resolution from the City and Borough of Juneau declaring Filipino American history month to be celebrated every October. 9:39:08 AM DANTE REYES, representing himself, said his family moved from the Philippines to Juneau in 1996 and he has been here since. He found out about a very organized Filipino organization in Juneau, the FCI, with a program to promote cultures and traditions of the Philippines. If SCR 14 passes, the Filipino association in Juneau is planning to celebrate the month of October and present some shows, dances and other traditions to Alaska. 9:42:14 AM ARLENE LUMBAB, board of directors, Filipino Community Inc (FCI), said she comes from one of the central islands of the Philippines. She initially came to America through California and then moved to Juneau three years ago. SCR 14 is an honor to all Filipinos throughout Alaska. FCI in Juneau is the oldest organized Filipino organization, incorporating in 1956, and many founding families reside in Juneau today. Filipinos, it has been said, are the second largest ethnic group in Alaska after Alaska Natives. She urged the passage of SCR 14. 9:44:30 AM CHAIR MENARD closed public testimony. CHAIR MENARD noted that all committee members at the table have signed as co-sponsors of SCR 14. SENATOR MEYER moved to report SCR 14 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, the motion carried.