Proclamation
Whereas, on October 18, 1587, more than a century before the Mayflower crossed the Atlantic Ocean, the first “Luzones Indios,” as Filipinos were known in those days, arrived in Morro Bay, California after sailing across the Pacific Ocean as sailors on Spanish galleons; and
Whereas, between 1906 and 1935, the first large wave of Filipino immigration to the United States began, as Filipinos were recruited to work in the agricultural industries, canne ries, and on sugarcane plantations; and
Whereas, during World War II, approximately 200,000 Filipino soldiers, including thousands from California, fought under United States command to preserve the liberty of our country and win back the liberty of the Philippines; and
Whereas, between 1941 a nd 1959, a second wave of Filipino immigration began, as nurses, students, fiancées of World War II military personnel , veterans, and many Filipinos who had served in the United States Navy settled in Navy towns, including Alameda, where they created flourishing Filipino American communities; and
Whereas, in 1965, the third wave of Filipino immigration began after enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act abolished “national origins” as the basis for immigration, allowing for much - needed Filipino medical professionals to come to the United States; and
Whereas, October was first recognized as Filipino American History Month in California in 2009. During this month, Alameda recognizes the lasting and significant contributions of Filipino Americans to our city and our nation , as educators and artists, politicians and laborers, veterans and judges. E very day, Filipino Americans continue to enrich our cultural, economic, intellectual, social, spiritual, and political lives; and
Whereas, in 1996, in the City of Alameda, Tony Daysog became the first Filipino -American elected to the Alameda City Council; in 2016, Malia Vella became the first Filipina -American elected to the Alameda City Council; in 2017, Alameda resident Benjamin T. Reyes II was appointed a Superior Court Judge for Contra Costa County, becoming the first Filipino -American Superior Court judge in Contra Costa County, and the second Filipino-American Superior Court judge in the Bay Area; and in April 2021, Rob Bonta, Alameda r esident and form er Alameda City Councilmember and State Assemblymember, became the first Filipino -American Attorney General of the State of California.
Now, therefore be it resolved , that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft , Mayor of the City of Alameda, on behalf of the Alameda City Council, do hereby proclaim October 2022 as
Filipino- American History Month
in the City of Alameda, and encourage all Alamedans to learn more about the history and rich contributions of Filipino - Americans.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor