Biden praised for ‘historic’ number of Fil-Am DNC delegates, appointees

FILE – President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, July 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

LOS ANGELES – The Filipino Americans for Biden-Harris (FAFBH) thanked President Joe Biden on Monday for recognizing the contributions of Filipino Americans and ensuring that the Fil-Am community is represented in government.

FAFBH, the Fil-Am volunteer group that supported Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 election, said Biden’s commitment to the Fil-Am community was “reflected in the historic number of Filipino American delegates attending the Democratic National Committee Convention and appointments throughout his Administration.”

The Biden administration’s Fil-Am appointees include Nani Coloretti, deputy director at the Office of Management and Budget; Gina Ortiz Jones, former undersecretary of the Air Force; and Camille Calimlim Touton, commissioner of the US Bureau of Reclamation.

The group said Filipino Americans have greatly benefited from Biden’s policies, which have protected healthcare for those with pre-existing conditions, lowered costs for millions of patients and resulted in greater gains in health insurance coverage for Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities than any other racial or ethnic group.

“All of these many milestones have profoundly impacted Filipino Americans, providing essential resources and opportunities to thrive,” the FAFBH said in a statement released on July 22.

Councilmember and former Artesia Mayor Melissa Ramoso, national co-chair of FAFBH 2024, recalled how they “started this journey four years ago and were steadfast in our commitment to President Biden and the betterment of our nation.”

Councilmember and former Artesia Mayor Melissa Ramoso with President Joe Biden. CONTRIBUTED

“We are grateful for (Biden’s) leadership and ability to bring back America from its darkest days our country has ever seen,” Ramoso said. “His courage to lead and serve as our President should always be met with respect and honor. We are eternally grateful for his service and forever indebted to him and his Administration.”

“President Biden’s presidency provided the healing and progress the nation desperately needed after the Trump administration,” said former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido, national co-chair of FAFBH 2020 and returning delegate to the Democratic National Committee Convention.

“His commitment to restoring decorum, unity and respect was a breath of fresh air for America and Filipino Americans across the country.”

Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for reelection, saying it was “in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Former Cerritos Mayor Mark Pulido at the White House. CONTRIBUTED

The FAFBH said Biden’s leadership has inspired the Fil-Am community to continue the work he has started and to build upon his legacy.

“President Biden has set a strong foundation, and it is up to each and every one of us to build upon it and strive for the progress and justice he has always championed,” the group said. “We are filled with immense gratitude and thank President Biden for his distinguished service and unwavering dedication to making America a better place for all.”

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