[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 559 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 559

 Expressing the Nation's sincerest appreciation for the service of the 
 World War II Filipino veterans who fought in the Armed Forces on the 
 80th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's military order.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 26, 2021

   Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Case, Ms. Herrell, Mr. Kinzinger, Mr. 
  Fitzpatrick, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Rice of South Carolina, Mr. Garcia of 
   California, Mr. Nunes, Mr. Calvert, Mrs. Steel, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. 
McClintock, Mrs. Kim of California, Mr. Valadao, Mr. McCarthy, and Mr. 
 Obernolte) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the Nation's sincerest appreciation for the service of the 
 World War II Filipino veterans who fought in the Armed Forces on the 
 80th anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's military order.

Whereas the Philippines Archipelago was acquired by the United States in 1898, 
        became an organized United States territory in 1902, and remained 
        American territory until its independence in 1945;
Whereas the people of the Philippines and the United States developed strong 
        ties based upon shared democratic values and security interests, which 
        compelled the United States to defend the people of the Philippines even 
        after independence;
Whereas, on July 26, 1941, in anticipation of Japanese aggression in the Asia 
        Pacific region, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order 
        calling the organized military forces of the Government of the 
        Commonwealth of the Philippines into service under the command of 
        General Douglas MacArthur;
Whereas President Franklin D. Roosevelt's military order stated, ``As Commander-
        in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, I hereby call and 
        order into service of the Armed Forces of the United States for the 
        period of the existing emergency, and place under the command of a 
        General Officer, United States Army, to be designated by the Secretary 
        of War from time to time, all of the organized military forces of the 
        Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines'';
Whereas, on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Clark Air Field in the 
        Philippines were suddenly attacked, initiating fighting on the Pacific 
        front during World War II, which led to the loss of hundreds of 
        thousands of American and Filipino soldiers and countless civilian 
        casualties;
Whereas, on February 20, 1946, President Harry Truman stated, ``Philippine Army 
        veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that 
        status until July 4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the 
        American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They 
        fought with gallantry and courage under most difficult conditions.'';
Whereas, on October 17, 1996, President William J. Clinton issued a proclamation 
        on the anniversary of the 1944 return of United States forces under 
        General MacArthur to liberate the Philippines and said, ``I urge all 
        Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of Filipino 
        Veterans of World War II and honor them for their contribution to our 
        freedom.'';
Whereas, on July 26, 2001, President George W. Bush, in his greetings to the 
        Filipino World War II veterans said, ``More than 120,000 Filipinos 
        fought with unwavering loyalty and great gallantry under the command of 
        General Douglas MacArthur. The combined United States-Philippine forces 
        distinguished themselves by their valor and heroism in defense of 
        freedom and democracy. Thousands of Filipino soldiers gave their lives 
        in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor. These soldiers won for the 
        United States the precious time needed to disrupt the enemy's plan for 
        conquest in the Pacific. During the 3 long years following these 
        battles, the Filipino people valiantly resisted a brutal Japanese 
        occupation with an indomitable spirit and steadfast loyalty to 
        America.'';
Whereas originally more than 250,000 Filipinos served this cause;
Whereas this year marks the 80th anniversary of the military order from 
        President Franklin D. Roosevelt; and
Whereas the contributions of the Filipino people and the sacrifices of their 
        soldiers in World War II should be recognized on this anniversary: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors and extends its 
sincere appreciation to the veterans of the Philippine Commonwealth 
Army during World War II for their sacrifice to our Nation during a 
time of war and for their selfless service.
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