CITY OF UNION CITY
PROCLAMATION
Recognizing October 2026 as
Filipino American History Month
WHEREAS, Filipino American History Month is observed each October, and the 2026 national theme, “Beyond the Margins,” invites us to share Filipino American stories that are often overlooked; and WHEREAS, the earliest recorded arrival of Filipinos in the continental United States was at Morro Bay, California, on October 18, 1587; and
WHEREAS, Filipino American labor leaders Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz played key roles in the 1965 Delano Grape Strike and helped build the United Farm Workers movement; and WHEREAS, in 2015, Union City’s Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School became the first school in the nation named in honor of Filipino Americans; and
WHEREAS, Union City is proud of its Filipino American community and our close ties with our sister cities, Pasay City and Baybay City, in the Philippines.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Union City does hereby proclaim October 2026 as Filipino American History Month in the City of Union City and invite all residents to learn about and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans.
DATED: October 13, 2026
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GARY SINGH, Mayor
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JAIME PATIÑO, Vice Mayor
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LANCE NISHIHIRA, Councilmember
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SCOTT SAKAKIHARA, Councilmember
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JEFF WANG, Councilmember