Ms. Cashman thanked Consul General De Leon for his visit, the first visit by a Philippine diplomat on Senator Shaheen who is a Senior Member of the Foreign Relations Committee and member of the influential Armed Services and Appropriations committees in the U.S. Senate. According to her, Senator Shaheen’s office is open to assist constituents for pro bono advice on U.S. immigration and visa matters and Filipino residents are welcome to visit their office.

Consul General De Leon noted that, based on the 2010 U.S. Census, Filipinos living in Vermont number about 3,500, but according to some in the Filipino community, the figure may actually be higher.

Consul General De Leon spoke briefly on key advocacies of the Philippine government. He also asked for Senator Shaheen’s support and co-sponsorship for S.1555 or the Congressional Gold Medal for Philippines Veterans of WWII pending before the U.S. Senate and filed by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI). The Consul General believes that the immense contribution by Philippine Veterans in WWII justifies the grant of a Congressional Gold Medal award, which has already been given to other minorities, such as the Tuskegee Airmen, Japanese Nisei, and Puerto Ricans.

The Consulate General regularly meets with U.S. elected and state officials to help promote closer people-to-people relations between the Filipino community and greater U.S. society. Consul General De Leon aims to raise awareness among Filipino-Americans of the Consulate’s mandate, promote trade and investment opportunities, and encourage greater participation by Filipino-Americans in civic and political activities. END