PROCLAMATION
Recognizing OCTOBER 2023 as
FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH IN THE CITY OF HERCULES WHEREAS, Filipino Americans make up one of the largest Asian American ethnic groups in the United States today with 2 million residing in California and approximately 6,700 in the City of Hercules; and WHEREAS, the earliest documented evidence of Filipinos in continental United States occurred in October 18, 1587, when mariners called “Luzones indios” under Spanish command landed in Morro Bay, California, as published by Lorraine Jacobs Crouchett in her book, Filipinos in California (1982), which annotated John Walton Caughey’s book, California (1953) and HR Wagner’s Unamuno’s Voyage to California in 1587 in the Quarterly of the California Historical Society (July 1923); and WHEREAS, the Filipino American National Historical Society established Filipino American History Month in 1988 and subsequently, every October, several communities throughout the United States and its territories, have celebrated this occasion, not only to commemorate the anniversary of the presence of the first Filipinos in US soil and to observe its heritage, but also to recognize the social, intellectual and economic contributions of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in this country; and WHEREAS, the Filipino Americans of Contra Costa County, FACCC, founded in 1975 initiated social, recreational and educational programs to promote the physical and social well-being of the Filipino American Community preserving their cultural heritage; and WHEREAS, the Filipino Americans of Contra Costa County instill in our communities the importance of education, history and ethnicity in creating eminent role models, in establishing a proud cultural identity and producing exceptional citizens of this nation; and WHEREAS, this is an appropriate time to promote and reflect on Philippine history and culture to provide all Americans with the opportunity to learn and appreciate more the Filipino Americans and their historic and social contribution to the USA.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, I, Alex Walker-Griffin, Mayor of the City of Hercules, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby recognize October 2023 to be Filipino American History Month and encourage all residents to join us in celebrating the heritage, influence, and contributions of Filipino Americans.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Hercules to be affixed this 10th day of October 2023.
Alex Walker-Griffin, Mayor