As author Carlos Bulosan once wrote, “America is in the heart.” Whether it be the 1587 landing at Morro Bay, California, the establishment of Juan St. Malo in Louisiana, the Delano Manongs and United Farmworkers’ contributions to labor rights, or our veterans and nurses serving our country, Filipino American history is American history.
This October, the Biden-Harris Administration is proud to celebrate Filipino American History Month. Today and every day, let us honor the extraordinary ways generations of Filipino Americans have helped to write our nation’s story.
I send my warmest greetings to all those celebrating Filipino American History Month.
Our Nation has been immeasurably enriched by the contributions of Filipinos and the Filipino American community. Since America’s founding, countless courageous Filipino immigrants have picked up their lives and found new homes here. As educators, entertainers, entrepreneurs, health care workers, lawyers, Service members, chefs, and so much more, Filipinos and Filipino Americans have helped forge the very idea of America. And while they have helped build our country, they have never forgotten where they came from—weaving the vibrant heritage and rich culture of the Philippines into the tapestry of our Nation. Filipinos and Filipino Americans embody the best of our country—putting service over self, remaining committed to their communities, and bolstering the bonds that unite us as Americans.
By recognizing Filipino American history, we are better able to learn from our past, celebrate the progress we have made, and grapple with the distance we still have to travel on our path to living up to our country’s founding ideals. May we continue honoring these proud Americans for all they have done to strengthen our great Nation for many years to come.
To the Filipino and Filipino American community: Thank you for all you do to ensure our Nation remains a land of hope, opportunity, and optimism.
— President Joe Biden
