June 11, 2009 11:19 PM UTC

Today is Random Declaration Day

• 4 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: We just got a statement from the House Majority Office that helps explain the Governor’s seemingly random “Filipino Independence Day” proclamation. Freshman Rep. Dennis Apuan, the only Filipino-American in the Colorado legislature, will be presenting the Governor’s proclamation at a Philippine cultural festival in Edgewater this Saturday. From the release:

Rep. Apuan said, “As the first Filipino-American elected to the Colorado Statehouse, I am deeply honored to extend my heartfelt felicitations and best wishes to the general membership of the Filipino-American Community of Colorado and to the wider Colorado community. The Filipino community’s noble efforts to showcase the very best of Philippine arts, entertainment and culture — along with a taste of our world-renown hospitality and cuisine – are a magnificent testament to the enduring Filipino spirit of bayanihan or community cooperation…”

It would have been nice to have gotten some context for the Governor’s proclamation in the original release so people weren’t left scratching their heads, but helping Rep. Apuan, who faces a tough fight for re-election to his Ft. Carson-area seat and can certainly use all the press time he can get, is something that Democrats shouldn’t find any fault with. Original post after the jump.

According to a press release from the Governor’s office:

Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed June 12, 2009, “Philippine Independence Day” throughout Colorado, recognizing the friendship the Republic of the Philippines has shown the United States for more than a century, and the contributions that Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have made to the State of Colorado. According to a 2007 survey by the American Community Survey, more than 15,000 Filipinos currently reside in Colorado, helping grow the economy and adding another unique cultural dynamic to Colorado’s already-rich melting pot

This is a nice proclamation and all (full text after the jump), but is it just us, or does this seem kind of random and completely out of the blue? We don’t necessarily mean this as a criticism; it just seemed like an odd declaration to make all of a sudden. It’s not like there has been some sort of Filipino issue that has been brewing in the state recently.

Or maybe Ritter’s campaign figures the 15,000 Filipinos currently residing in Colorado can help make up for his loss of support from Democrats and labor unions.

We kid, we kid. Sort of.

GOV. RITTER THANKS FILIPINO-AMERICANS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROCLAIMS

“PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY”

Gov. Bill Ritter today proclaimed June 12, 2009, “Philippine Independence Day” throughout Colorado, recognizing the friendship the Republic of the Philippines has shown the United States for more than a century, and the contributions that Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have made to the State of Colorado. According to a 2007 survey by the American Community Survey, more than 15,000 Filipinos currently reside in Colorado, helping grow the economy and adding another unique cultural dynamic to Colorado’s already-rich melting pot. Below is the text of the proclamation.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

June 12, 2009

WHEREAS, on June 12, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Filipino independence from Spain and established the Philippine Republic; and

WHEREAS, strong bonds of friendship and alliance have bound the people of the Philippines and the people of the United States for more than a century, including the period of time that the Philippines had Commonwealth status as part of the United States; and

WHEREAS, Filipino and Filipino-American veterans served with courage and distinction in liberating Asia during World War II, further strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Filipino-American community has made and continues to make important contributions to the economic, artistic, and cultural diversity of Colorado and the United States; and

WHEREAS, Filipino-Americans are a growing and vibrant part of the Asian-American community in Colorado; and

WHEREAS, the Filipino-American Community Center in Edgewater has expanded its services and outreach, welcoming an historic mission to Colorado by the San Francisco Philippine Consulate General in 2006; and

WHEREAS, the State of Colorado recognizes the Philippines on the 111th anniversary since declaring independence, and appreciates the many Filipino-Americans that add to the rich diversity and cultural fabric of our state;

Therefore, I, Bill Ritter, Jr., Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim June 12, 2009,

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

in the State of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this eleventh day of June, 2009

Bill Ritter, Jr.

Governor