Proclamation of the City of Hercules Honoring June 12th, 2023 as Philippine Independence Day WHEREAS, on June 12, 2023, the Filipino American community in the United States will have celebrated the 124th anniversary of Philippine Independence, and on this occasion, recognize California’s Filipino American citizens and thank them for their countless contributions to the nation’s cultural, economic, and political heritage; and WHEREAS, the Philippine Declaration of Independence was enacted on June 12, 1898, in Cavite – Viejo, now known as Kawit, Cavite, Philippines when the Filipino people proclaimed sovereignty and independence from Spain’s colonial rule after winning the Philippine Revolution of 1896; and WHEREAS, on that same day, the first ever Republic in Asia was established as the Republic of the Philippines with General Emilio Aguinaldo as President, and the Philippine Flag and National Anthem officially consecrated and honored; and WHEREAS, the hard won Philippine freedom was short-lived with the outbreak of the expansionist Spanish American War ending the 1898 Treaty of Paris seceding the Philippines to the United States; and WHEREAS, in defense of their freedom, the Filipino people resisted U.S. domination by waging the Philippine American War; and WHEREAS, the United States government did not recognize Philippine Independence until the signing of the Treaty of Manila on July 4, 1946, now observed as Philippine-American Friendship Day, while June 12, 1898 was signed into law on August 4, 1964 by President Diosdado Macapagal as Philippine Independence Day; and WHEREAS, Filipinos have been coming to the United States in large waves of migration and immigration, first as U.S. nationals, then as aliens, then as United States citizens, and have since, built multigenerational and diverse communities; and WHEREAS, today, there are 4.2 million people of Filipino descent living in the United States; 1.5 million are in California; over 34,000 in Contra Costa County – a spectrum of political, economic, and social strata, who play vital roles in the building of this nation; and WHEREAS, on Philippine Independence Day, the Filipino American community remembers the struggles their forefathers suffered to free themselves from foreign oppression and be inspired to seek freedom from all forms of oppression.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Alex Walker- Griffin, Mayor of the City of Hercules, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby recognize June 12, 2023 as Philippine Independence Day in the City of Hercules and we honor this day with our continued observance of relevant ceremonies, programs, and activities.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Hercules to be affixed this day of 23rd day of May, 2023. ________________________________
Alex Walker- Griffin, Mayor