PCGNY.net | News Release

Congressman Garret of New Jersey accepts invitation to join RP-US Friendship Caucus

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE - NEWS RELEASE
26 April 2007

NEW YORK --- Philippine Consul General to New York, Cecilia Rebong, reported to the Department that Congressman Scott Garrett of the 5th Congressional District of New Jersey has accepted the former’s invitation to him to join the RP-US Friendship Caucus. Congressman Garrett accepted the invitation during the Consul General’s meeting with him at his district office in Paramus, New Jersey.

“I will absolutely join the Caucus and will take this up immediately with Congressman Darrel Issa once I get back to Washington D.C.,” Consul General Rebong quoted Congressman Garrett as saying.

Consul General Rebong also reported that Congressman Garrett promised to “seriously look” into the Filipino WWII veterans’ equity bill after the former explained to him that WWII veterans’ benefits is one of the issues being closely monitored and supported by the RP-US Friendship Caucus. The Consul General also informed the Congressman that the Caucus currently has more than eighty (80) members from the Democratic and Republican Parties combined. One of those who recently joined the Caucus was Congressman Mike Ferguson who, like Garrett, is also a Republican representing the 7th Congressional District of New Jersey.

Consul General Rebong was accompanied to the meeting by Consul Edgar Badajos and several community leaders, namely, Mrs. Erlinda Arellano, State Chair of the New Jersey Philippine Political Action Coalition (PPAC); Mrs. Ludivina De Asis Hughes, President of PPAC for Bergen County; and Mr. Salvador Deauna, Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) for the State of New Jersey.

Mrs. Arellano and Mrs. Hughes informed the Congressman that the primary objective of the Philippine American Political Coalition was to encourage Filipino-Americans in the State of New Jersey to become more involved in American politics especially during elections. They also informed the Congressman about “Philippine Vote,” which NaFFAA recently launched as a flagship project geared towards encouraging greater Filipino-American participation in U.S. electoral exercises. Mr. Deauna invited the Congressman to grace the Filipino Heritage Fair on May 20, 2007, in Bergenfield, New Jersey. The Filipino Heritage Fair is the biggest Philippine Independence Day celebrations by Fil-Americans in Passaic, Bergenfield, and surrounding areas in Northern New Jersey. Bergenfield falls under Congressman Garrett’s district. Congressman Garrett replied that he would be more than happy to attend the Heritage Fair.