TN HJR1037

Commemorates the 80th anniversary of Philippine-American Friendship Day, observed on July 4, marking the date in 1946 when the U.S. formally recognized Philippine independence through the Treaty of Manila

Honors the World War II alliance when over 260,000 Filipinos fought alongside American forces, with approximately 57,000 killed and 76,000 American and Filipino POWs enduring the Bataan Death March

Recognizes individual heroes including Magdalena E. Leones (only Asian woman awarded the Silver Star in WWII) and Master Sergeant Aaron Kliatchko (posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom in 1948)

Acknowledges Tennessee's Filipino population of over 30,000, the third-largest Asian ethnic group in the state

Extends appreciation to Tennessee's Filipino community for its civic, cultural, and economic contributions to the state