HR 13: RECOGNIZING DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI FOR HER UNPARALLELED DEDICATION TO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, ADVOCACY FOR THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SHAPING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE SOCIETY.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

recognizING DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI for her unparalleled dedication to immigrant rights, advocacy for the Filipino community, and contributions to shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.

     WHEREAS, DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI, a dedicated advocate for social justice, immigrated to Hawaiʻi from the Philippines in 1964 on an East-West Center fellowship and has since devoted her life to representing and empowering Filipino and other immigrants across the State and beyond; and

     WHEREAS, in 1972, DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI co-founded Operation Manong, an initiative to mentor and support newly arrived Filipino immigrant students who faced harassment and discrimination in Hawaiʻi's public schools, helping these students achieve educational success and promoting a sense of cultural pride; and

     WHEREAS, DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI's leadership was critical in founding FilCom CARES during the COVID-19 pandemic; this initiative provided essential health resources such as education, testing, and vaccinations for immigrant communities, addressing disparities in healthcare access and saving countless lives; and

     WHEREAS, as the first chairwoman of the Hawaiʻi State Civil Rights Commission, DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI fought against workplace discrimination and systemic inequities, shaping policies that continue to protect the rights of immigrants and marginalized groups in Hawaiʻi; and

     WHEREAS, DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, highlighting her national impact in addressing critical issues such as anti-Asian hate, immigration reform, and economic equity and ensuring that the voices of immigrant communities were heard at the highest levels; and

     WHEREAS, DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI's selfless efforts to uplift the Filipino community through education, advocacy, and civic engagement, including her leadership efforts under the Pamantasan Council, have inspired future generations and strengthened Hawaiʻi's multicultural identity; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaiʻi, Regular Session of 2025, that this body hereby recognizes DR. AMEFIL "AMY" AGBAYANI for her unparalleled dedication to immigrant rights, advocacy for the Filipino community, and contributions to shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.

Report Title: 

Dr. Amefil "Amy" Agbayani