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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE WEEK
WHEREAS, June 12, 2020 marks the 122nd Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of the Philippines; and
WHEREAS, it was on this day that the people of the Philippines threw off the chains of colonialism that kept them from being a free and sovereign people; and
WHEREAS, thousands of Filipinos sacrificed their lives in brutal military battle to achieve this self-rule and self-agency; and
WHEREAS, in commemoration of this historic day, the week of June 8 has been designated across the nation as Philippine Independence Week; and
WHEREAS, this week is an opportunity to celebrate the independence of the Philippines, and is also an opportunity to celebrate the rich culture that Filipino-Americans bring to America; and
WHEREAS, without cultures such as that of Filipino-Americans, America would be a barren nation; the heritage and traditions that Filipino-Americans cherish are national treasures; and
WHEREAS, Filipinos were among the earliest explorers in the New World, landing in America in the 16th century; and
WHEREAS, Filipino-Americans are now the second most populous Asian group in the United States; and
WHEREAS, with each new wave of immigrants the Filipino-American community continues to grow and includes professional athletes, Olympic champions, stars of stage and screen, labor organizers, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs as well as members of the medical and engineering professions; and
WHEREAS, Cook County Government and the offices under the President employ the largest percentage of Asian-Americans of any government in Illinois, with Filipino-Americans comprising a substantial portion of those employees; and
WHEREAS, Filipino-Americans served their Country faithfully in the wars of the 20th century, and continue to protect America as servicemen and servicewomen around the world;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners...
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