HONORING FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY (FANHS) LEADERS DR. ALLAN BERGANO, EDWINA BERGANO, AND DOROTHY LAIGO CORDOVA

On 2026-08-03, Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-3) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY (FANHS) LEADERS DR. ALLAN BERGANO, EDWINA BERGANO, AND DOROTHY LA" in the House.

HONORING FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY (FANHS) LEADERS DR. ALLAN BERGANO, EDWINA BERGANO, AND DOROTHY LAIGO CORDOVA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 126 (Monday, August 3, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E764] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING FILIPINO AMERICAN NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY (FANHS) LEADERS DR. ALLAN BERGANO, EDWINA BERGANO, AND DOROTHY LAIGO CORDOVA ______ HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT of virginia in the house of representatives Monday, August 3, 2026 Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) leaders Dorothy Laigo Cordova, Dr. Allan Bergano, and Edwina Bergano. Known as the ``Mother'' of the Filipino American National Historical Society and the Filipino American civil rights movement, Dorothy Laigo Cordova co-founded FANHS with her late husband, Fred Cordova, in 1982 as a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and sharing Filipino American history. For seven decades, she has worked to combat racism and ensure that the Filipino American story is recognized as an integral part of the American experience. FANHS was born out of frustration with the lack of accurate representation of Filipino Americans in mainstream history and has since grown to more than 40 chapters across the United States, including one in Hampton Roads. Dorothy's tireless efforts were instrumental in establishing Filipino American History Month, observed every October and recognized by President Obama in 2012. Dr. Allan Bergano and Edwina Bergano founded the Hampton Roads Chapter of FANHS in 1990. They are taking a much-deserved retirement after nearly 40 years of service and a shared commitment to intergenerational community leadership. The Hampton Roads Chapter is the oldest on the East Coast and focuses on preserving, documenting, and sharing the history and culture of Filipino Americans in the region. As the only present Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry, I have the privilege of representing this rich and vibrant Filipino American community in Hampton Roads while serving as co-chair of the U.S.- Philippines Friendship Caucus. The region is home to the largest Filipino American population on the East Coast and several U.S. military bases. Many Filipinos immigrated to the area through service in the U.S. Navy or by working in the health professions. In closing, I thank Dorothy Laigo Cordova, Dr. Allan Bergano, and Edwina Bergano for the sacrifices they have made and the bridges they have built for the Filipino American community. ____________________