The Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate passed a joint resolution proclaiming October as Filipino American History Month Oct. 17, according to a WisPolitics press release.
Rep. Angelito Tenorio, D-West Allis, with the support of Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, drafted, circulated and advocated for the resolution — contacting both Democratic and Republican leadership to pass this legislation, according to Tenorio.
“I am proud to be the first Filipino American ever elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature,” Tenorio said. “I wanted to make sure that my Filipino American neighbors, constituents and folks in my district and across Wisconsin feel heard, seen and represented. That’s why I drafted this resolution and circulated it for co sponsorship.”
The resolution was initially not placed on the calendar for the Assembly’s session Oct. 14, however, Tenorio continued to reach out to leadership to have it on the agenda, according to Teniro.
The resolution is about recognizing the contributions of the Filipino American community, celebrating the work that is being done and continuing to acknowledge what else needs to be done, according to Tenorio.
“For too long, like many other communities of color and Asian American communities, the Filipino American community has been overlooked and underserved,” Tenorio said. “This resolution is about acknowledging stories, the struggles and the contributions and achievements of the Filipino American community in Wisconsin.”
The resolution is one of the first steps in centering and focusing on the contributions, stories and successes of the Filipino American community, according to Tenorio. It is also about protecting immigrant communities and serving working families across Wisconsin and focusing on issues Filipino Americans care about from public education to environment protection, Tenorio said.
Tenorio was a member of the University of Wisconsin Filipino American Student Organization when he was an undergraduate, and he had the support of FASO, according to FASO co-President External Charlie Woller.
“To us, this resolution is stating we have a place in society and that we work very hard — we wanted some recognition,” Woller said.
There will be an event with Tenorio and other Filipino American leaders in Wisconsin Oct. 29 at the State Capitol. It will include music, Filipino American food and speakers from the Filipino American community.
