Recognize Filipino Independence Day

3,900,000 people; and WHEREAS, Filipino American servicemen and servicewomen have a long-standing history in the Armed Forces from the Civil War to the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, including the 25,000 Filipinos who fought under the United States flag during WWII to protect and defend this country; and WHEREAS, Filipino Americans are an integral part of the United States health care system as nurses, doctors, and other medical professions; and WHEREAS, Filipino Americans have contributed greatly to the fine arts, music, dance, literature, business, journalism, education, science, technology, government, politics, fashion, and other fields in the United States that enrich the landscape of the country; and WHEREAS, Efforts should continue to promote the study of Filipino American history and culture, as mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino American National Historical Society, because the roles of Filipino Americans and other people of color have been overlooked in the writing, teaching and learning of United States history; and WHEREAS, It is vital for Filipino American youth to have positive role models to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with the richness of their ethnicity and the value of their legacy; and WHEREAS, The United States of America granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946 through the Treaty of Manila; July 4th was chosen as the date by the United States because it corresponds to the United States' Independence Day, and that day was observed in the Philippines as Independence Day until 1962; and WHEREAS, On May 12, 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28, which declared June 12th a special public holiday throughout the Philippines; and WHEREAS, This special holiday was affirmed in commemoration of the people's declaration of their inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence; and WHEREAS, On August 4, 1964, Republic Act No. 4166 renamed the July 4th holiday as "Philippine Republic Day", proclaimed June 12th as "Philippine Independence Day", and enjoined all citizens of the Philippines to observe the latter with befitting rites; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 12, 2017, as Filipino Independence Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.