New York congressman dialogues with Filipino community

News Source: Phillipine News online

October 29, 2010

NEW YORK — Congressman Joseph Crowley of New York's 7th District met with the Filipino American community in his district during a cocktail reception hosted by Consul General Cecilia Rebong at her official residence on October 20. The event was held to honor Crowley and express appreciation for his help in advancing the cause of Filipino Americans, according to a press statement issued by the consulate.

The Democrat lawmaker praised FilAms for being very well educated and for their professionalism in their jobs.

He cited their close family ties and religiosity as positive attributes benefitting the local communities.

Crowley is a friend of Filipino war veterans, said Rebong. He co-sponsored various versions of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bills, whose major provisions were finally incorporated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed by the Obama Administration in February 2009. The ARRA gave recognition to the military service of the Filipino veterans during the last World War and provided them with financial compensations.

Crowley is also a member of the R.P.-U.S. Friendship Caucus, a group of American senators and congressmen promoting closer bilateral relations between the two countries.

First elected to the U.S. Congress in 1998, Crowley is now serving his sixth term. He sits in the powerful Committee on Ways and Means and the prestigious Committee on Foreign Affairs.

About 50 FilAms attended the event, including the officers of the National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA) in Region 1 and the New York chapters of the Association of Filipino American Teachers in America and the Philippine Nurses Association of America.

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