Press Release No. 049-03
11 February 2003
FIRST-EVER
“PHILIPPINE CAUCUS” OF US LEGISLATORS TO BE
LAUNCHED ON FEBRUARY
12
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In what will be a ground-breaking event in the century-long
Philippine-United States partnership, the first-ever US-Philippine Friendship
Caucus in the United States Congress will be officially launched on February
12.
The Philippine Caucus was initiated by eight members of the US House of Representatives,
who sent a “Dear Colleague” letter last October to all the House members
enjoining them to establish the Caucus. The letter underscored that “The
Philippines has had a historically close and special relationship with the
United States and has become (the US’) most active Asian ally in the war
on terrorism.”
To date, there are forty-two members of the US House of Representative in
the Philippine Caucus.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Albert del Rosario said that
“the creation of the Caucus was primarily inspired by President Gloria-Macapagal
Arroyo’s reinvigoration of the bilateral relations between the Phillipines
and the United States and her demonstrated commitmment to the international
coalition against terrorism.”
The envoy conveyed his “deep appreciation of the founders and to the members
of the Caucus who lent their vision and leadership to this initiative.” He
added that “this significant stride will provide fresh impetus in broadening
and deepening the special friendship that binds the Philippines and the United
States and will accelerate the pursuit of our bilateral relations on the
basis of shared values and mutual benefit.”
Ambassador del Rosario also stressed that the Philippine Caucus will “forge
a robust partnership and cooperation between the America Legislators and
their growing Filipino-American constituents, who presently number around
2.4 million.”
An envisioned by its original sponsors, the Caucus would create a network
of Members in the US Congress who are interested in the Philippines and who
are concerned about US-Philippine bilateral relations. It would also focus
on the domestic needs and concerns of Filipino-Americans.
The eight founding pillars of the bi-partisan Caucus are Representatives
Darrel Issa (R-California), Bob Filner (D-California), Duke Cunningham (R-California),
Bobby Scott (D-Virginia), Todd Tiahrt (R-California), Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii),
Dana Rohrabacher (R-California) and Lane Evans (D-Illinois). - END