Recognizing Philippines Independence Day

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, as a Pacific Islander, I wish to recognize the significance of June 12 as Philippines Independence Day and the relationship that the U.S. and the Philippines share.

As a founding member of the United Nations and a member of many international global security organizations, the Philippines has long been a bastion of freedom in the Pacific as a close friend of the United States.

It is well known that the horrors of World War II affected the entire world. In the Pacific, many island nations and territories were conquered by the Imperial Japanese forces and many suffered under their occupation.

In the face of such harsh conditions, Pacific nations like the Philippines and territories like Guam preserved an unbreakable spirit that could not be rivaled.

In 1945, Filipino guerrilla fighters, with the help of Allied forces, broke free of their shackles and forced their occupying forces away, despite 4 years of atrocities. Ever since then, the Philippines has been a bastion of freedom and an integral part of keeping the world safe.

June 12, the day Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain in 1898, represents more than just a free Philippines. It demonstrates to the world that an independent nation can withstand whatever challenges come its way.

Yet, because of their unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom and democracy, the Philippine Government and people face daily harassment from the People's Republic of China.

As the PRC continues to expand its military presence within the region, Pacific regions like the Philippines need our support. As gray zone attacks, like breaches of exclusive economic zones, cyber warfare, and maritime militias in the South China Sea, continue to increase, U.S. support for our friends in the Philippines is paramount to securing the Indo-Pacific.

With the Philippines Independence Day this Wednesday, recognizing the Philippines' ongoing fight for freedom is the first step for securing the region and deterring aggression within the region.

In light of such an important event and day, I wish a happy Independence Day to our friends in the Philippines who just crossed into the 12th of June, as well as an early happy Independence Day to those who celebrate in the United States.

As co-chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I thank my colleagues whose continued support makes our alliance with the Philippines strong. Your support for H. Res. 837, Reaffirming the ties between the United States and the Philippines, as well as a resolution I will be introducing today to commemorate Philippines Independence Day, is vital for maintaining a free Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my fellow Members of Congress to cosponsor these two resolutions, and I wish a happy Independence Day to our friends in the Pacific.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source