United States Congressman Scott Perry poses with members of the Philippine American Heritage Council and ACTION of PA at reception in his honor this past Friday at residence of PAHC member.

Speakers included Springettsbury Township Board of Supervisors Member Mark Swomley, ACTION of PA State President Jay McKiernan and Philippine American Heritage Council Chairman Emy Delgaudio with Hon. Chmn. Rep. Seth Grove

(Sunday, May 18, York, PA) – Leaders of the Philippine American community in York County, PA hosted a “Meet and Greet U.S. Congressman Scott Perry” Reception at the private residence of one of their leaders this past Friday, May 16.  Their invitation to Filipinos in the York Community to meet their Congressman and enjoy Filipino foods was totally ignored by the York Daily Record and other area news media outlets, which did not make any use of the advance news media release provided to them before the event.

First term Congressman Scott Perry spoke for the second time as the keynote speaker and guest of honor at a Philippine American Heritage Council function this past Friday.

There was no charge or donation requirement to attend, although attendees were asked to bring a dish to contribute to the buffet.

State Representative Seth Grove was the “Meet and Greet Congressman Perry” event Honorary Chairman, marking his third consecutive year of participation with the York area Filipino community. Those in the Filipino community interested to receive direct invitations to attend similar events in the future such as the upcoming picnic where York area political leaders are again invited to attend and speak, may write to Chairman@PhilippineAmericanHeritage.org or visit the website, PhilippineAmericanHeritage.org.

The third annual Heritage Picnic this summer will feature Filipino and other American heritage foods, a cultural table focusing on “the best features” of the Philippines (including details of its outstanding scuba diving sites), and for the first time this year a Filipino cultural dance performance.

Leaders of the Philippine American Heritage Council (PAHC) teamed up with leaders of ACTION of PA (Americans for Christian Traditions in our Nation) as a “Host Committee” for the “Meet and Greet Congressman Scott Perry” reception this past Friday night with their York County Chairman as a speaker and their leaders also on the “Host Committee” for the event  (photo at top is with key leaders of both groups posing with the Congressman at the event).

Springettsbury Township (York County) Board of Supervisors Member Mark Swomley introduced Congressman Scott Perry at the function, marking his second speaking appearance at a Philippine American Heritage Council function this past Friday.

“Scott Perry has done an outstanding job as our Congressman and we especially appreciate his being frugal on spending matters while also focusing his attention on strengthening the national security of the United States and America’s relationship with Asia Pacific rim countries including the Philippines as a member of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives” said a spokesman for the Philippine American Heritage Council in York County, PA.

The Philippine American Heritage Council began as a food and literature booth at the York City, St. Patrick Catholic Church annual “Heritage Festival” three years ago. It was so successful in attracting support from the York area Filipino community that the Church gave it a double sized booth area which attracted the largest crowds of any of the dozen heritage tables at the Festival.

The Council has sponsored an annual picnic the past two summers, with State Representative Seth Grove as their keynote speaker two years ago, and last year with Congressman Scott Perry as their keynote speaker, introduced by Rep. Seth Grove. Grove, endorsed by ACTION of PA which had also awarded him their “Statesman of the Year” in the past, faces a primary challenge from in the May 20 primary. He was unable to attend the event this past Friday due to other campaign obligations for the primary being held several days later. (since this post Seth Grove won reelection by an enormous margin).

Also in attendance at last summer’s second annual picnic were candidates for public office such as Pam Gay, then a candidate for York County Coroner and for Springettsbury Board of Supervisors Mark Swomley, both of whom won their races. All four public officials were very well received by picnic attendees.

Swomley was as a speaker at the Friday event, making his second appearance before the group now as the successful candidate and incumbent Board of Supervisors member for Springettsbury Township.

The Filipinio version of the egg roll or spring roll is called “Lumpia” and was the most popular dish at the reception. All food and drink was donated by those attending. This one vanished quickly (thanks: Jhoann M., Anna M., Emy D.).

Unlike some other heritage oriented organizations, the Philippine American Heritage Council does not focus exclusively on their country of origin. Their website shows the Council as part of “New Americans by Choice” and explains they are “An alliance of first generation new Americans by our own choice, and our accidentally born-American friends, educating newcomers about “American exceptionalism” and the roots of America as Judeo-Christian while proudly sharing what is best about “the old country” – our nation of origin.”

Although the large majority of Filipinos – including members of the York area council – are Catholic, they have teamed up with the York County ACTION of PA, the majority of whose members are non-Catholic Christians, to host this past Friday’s “Meet and Greet Congressman Scott Perry” because “the Christian values of those who represent us should be considered when we vote” said their spokesman.

York County ACTION of PA President Jay McKiernan being introduced by Emy Delgaudio, Chairman of the Philippine American Heritage Council, at the function honoring Congressman Scott Perry this past Friday.

York County ACTION of PA President Jay McKiernan, one of the event organizers was one of the speakers at the event and also served as the event official spokesman for any further news media inquiries or questions. The news release sent by both his organization and several days earlier by the Philippine American Heritage Council provoked no media inquiries to him, and was completely ignored by all York area news media outlets it was sent to.

Both Congressman Perry and State Representative Seth Grove will be invited to attend and speak at the third annual picnic of the Philippine American Heritage Council this summer, along with all candidates for public office of all political parties. The first such picnic two years ago had 25 in attendance, the second had 55, and the third one this summer is expected to attract 100 attendees – most of whom are Americans of Philippine ancestry and their families, friends and interested parties.

Neither the Philippine American Heritage Council nor ACTION of PA endorses candidates for federal office, and nothing in this media release should be construed as an endorsement by either organization. “Meet and Greet Congressman Scotty Perry Honorary Chairman, Representative Seth Grove, was recently endorsed for reelection by ACTION of PA in the May 20 GOP primary.

Also in attendance at the Friday, May 16 event was candidate for State Representative, Kelly Henshaw and his lovely wife Kathy.  Kelly was endorsed by ACTION of PA in his race against the Republican incumbent, State Representative and House Majority Whip Stan Saylor. The Chairman of the Philippine American Heritage Council is also a member of ACTION of PA.