[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 65 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 65

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
military service of Filipinos during World War II and their eligibility 
 for benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
                                Affairs.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 11, 2003

    Ms. Millender-McDonald (for herself and Mr. Issa) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' 
  Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the 
military service of Filipinos during World War II and their eligibility 
 for benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans 
                                Affairs.

Whereas more than 140,000 Filipino soldiers fought in units of the United States 
        Army during World War II;
Whereas many other Filipinos fought during World War II in units that had no 
        ties or only informal ties to the United States Army;
Whereas the Philippines was a territory of the United States before and during 
        World War II and did not gain its independence until 1946;
Whereas Filipinos who served in Filipino-manned units of the United States Army 
        prior to October 6, 1945, are known as ``regular Philippine Scouts'' or 
        ``old scouts'';
Whereas Filipinos who enlisted or reenlisted in Filipino-manned units of the 
        United States Army on or after October 6, 1945, are known as ``new 
        Philippine Scouts'' or ``special Philippine Scouts'';
Whereas Filipinos who served during World War II in units that were under the 
        command of a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces or 
        that were otherwise recognized by, and cooperating with, the United 
        States Armed Forces are known as ``United States Army Forces of the Far 
        East Guerrillas'' or as members of the ``Guerrilla Service'';
Whereas many other Filipinos served during World War II as members of the 
        Commonwealth Army of the Philippines while such forces were in the 
        service of the United States Armed Forces pursuant to the military order 
        of President Franklin Roosevelt dated July 26, 1941;
Whereas Filipinos who served during World War II as members of the Commonwealth 
        Army of the Philippines or as members of the Guerrilla Service are 
        collectively known as ``Commonwealth Army veterans'';
Whereas the regular Philippine Scouts, new Philippine Scouts, United States Army 
        Forces of the Far East Guerrillas, and members of the Commonwealth Army 
        of the Philippines all fought valiantly alongside other members of the 
        United States Armed Forces in the defense and liberation of the 
        Philippines; and
Whereas Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine Scouts are eligible for 
        only certain veterans' benefits, which are generally payable at half the 
        rate payable to other veterans under programs administered by the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the regular Philippine Scouts, new Philippine Scouts, 
        United States Army Forces of the Far East Guerrillas, and 
        members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines deserve 
        recognition for their valiant service during World War II; and
            (2) new Philippine Scouts and Commonwealth Army veterans 
        deserve to receive the same veterans' benefits to which other 
        members of the United States Armed Forces are entitled under 
        programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
                                 <all>