Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):
SEPTEMBER 15, 1986
President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino made her first state visit to the United States starting September 15, 1986 until September 19, 1986.
United States President Ronald Reagan announced that his administration would "do all that we can" to make her government successful. In a farewell ceremony after their luncheon and a 45-minute private meeting, President Reagan mentioned that her new government deserves renewed U.S. investment, banker confidence and public support. He adds that the "United States stands ready to assist President Aquino in her quest to create a stable and secure land, as well as in her commitment to invigorate the Philippine economy."
After the ceremony at the White House, cabinet ministers for the two nations signed documents providing $100 million in economic aid, the most recent installment in $505 million approved by Congress for the Philippines for fiscal year 1986. A new aid arrangement of an additional $20 million in medical supplies -- half from the U.S. government and half from a private organization, Americares Inc. was dispatched.
On September 18, 1986, President Aquino delivered a speech in a joint session of the United States Congress with American lawmakers wearing yellow ribbons symbolizing their support to Aquino.
She asked Congress for an emergency $200-million aid appropriation. Also in her speech was the sensitive issue regarding her reconciliatory stand on the communist insurgency.
President Aquino said "We fought for honor, and, if only for honor, we shall pay... And yet, should we have to wring the payments from the sweat of our men’s faces and sink all the wealth piled up by the bondsman’s two hundred fifty years of unrequited toil?"
Aquino also visited San Francisco, New York City, and Boston.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: wikipedia.org
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