Daniel Akaka: “Today marks the centennial of the Philippines' independence from Spain and also the 100th anniversary of…”

“Today marks the centennial of the Philippines' independence from Spain and also the 100th anniversary of Philippine-American relations. I urge my colleagues to reflect upon our friendly relationship with the Filipino people and their Republic. The Sun and Stars, the flag of the Republic of the Philippines, has once again been unfurled on the same balcony where General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the country's independence, overthrowing 300 years of Spanish colonization on June 12, 1898. With that act by General Aguinaldo, Filipinos earned the distinct honor of being the first indigenous people in Asia to wrest their freedom and independence by force of arms from their European colonial masters. The Philippine Centennial is a toast to the Filipino spirit, to the rebirth of a courageous nation, to Asia's first republic and constitutional democracy, and to a glorious and progressive future for the Filipino Nation. There is no better time than now to recognize the enduring friendship between our two countries.”