[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H8727-H8728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RESTITUTION FOR GUAM

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of attending 
ceremonies in Honolulu about 10 days ago marking V-J Day and the end of 
the war in the Pacific.
  I was moved by the expressions of gratitude to our veterans who 
fought in the war in the Pacific, many of whom did not return home, and 
countless many who were injured and who bear the scars of war today. We 
certainly owe them a debt of gratitude.
  I want to take this opportunity to call attention to the story of an 
American community occupied by the enemy during this war, and the 
brutality visited upon these Aemricans. Guam was attacked 
simultaneously with the attack on Pearl Harbor, and Guam was 
subsequently occupied by the enemy, an occupation that lasted 32 
months, from December 10, 1941, to July 21, 1944. Guam was the only 
American community occupied--some may note that the Aleutian Islands 
were also occupied, but the Native Alaskans and the military evacuated 
these islands prior to the start of hostilities. Not since the War of 
1812 have American civilians been subjected to an enemy occupation.
  The occupation of Guam was made more brutal because of the loyalty of 
the people of Guam to the United States. This was a time of severe 
hardship and scarcity of food. This was a time when our people were 
placed into forced labor to work in rice paddies, to build 
fortifications for the enemy, and to clear a field by hand for a future 
airfield. This was a time when many suffered the brutality of beatings, 
and some were executed by beheading. This was a time when our people, 
in the closing weeks before liberation, were forced to march to 
internment camps in southern Guam to await their fate. And this was a 
time of atrocities, of villagers being rounded up into caves where they 
were killed by grenades and machinegun fire.
  With this kind of war experience, it is not likely that the people of 
Guam will ever forget the occupation. But it seems that this Nation has 
forgotten the people of Guam. It certainly seemed that way after World 
War II when the Treaty of Peace with Japan was signed by the United 
States, absolving Japan of any war reparations. It certainly seemed 
that Guam was forgotten by the United States Congress in 1948 and again 
in 1962 when legislation was passed to allow for some compensation to 
the victims of World War II, but not the victims who were on Guam.
  Mr. Speaker, I have introduced legislation, H.R. 2041, the Guam War 
Restitution Act, to address the claims of the people of Guam for the 
wartime atrocities that we endured. My bill would allow compensation 
for forced march, forced labor, internment, injury, and death for those 
who suffered during the occupation.
  The amounts authorized for these injuries are modest, and are in line 
with amounts paid in 1948 to other Americans who were authorized to 
receive compensation.
  It is important, 51 years after the liberation of Guam and 50 years 
after the end of the war, to bring closure to this issue. This issue is 
not going to fade away. Federal amnesia about Guam's occupation and the 
injustice of the way compensation was handled is not going to work. We 
remember, and we will not forget.
  To those who may question why we are coming to Congress for 
compensation, let me point out two things. First, the Treaty of Peace 
with Japan takes away our recourse to seek compensation directly from 
Japan. Second, war claims were paid to other Americans by successive 
acts of Congress beginning in 1943, and as I mentioned earlier, in 
corrective legislation in 1948 and 1962 that did not include Guam.
  To those who may argue that it should be Japan, not the American 
taxpayer that pays this bill, let me assure you that we agree. The 
Federal Government had every opportunity to seize Japanese assets after 
the war in payment of claims. Furthermore, my bill includes a funding 
mechanism that would not cost the American taxpayer a dime--Congress 
may choose to impose a fee on the sale of United States 

[[Page H 8728]]
military equipment to Japan. After all, the national security and our 
security arrangements with Japan in Asia were often cited as the 
reasons to forgive Japan of any war reparations.
  I hope that my colleagues would support H.R. 2041, the Guam War 
Restitution Act. I hope that we can put closure to this issue. I noted 
that much publicity was given to the Japanese apology for World War II. 
Who will apologize for the mishandling of Guam war reparations? Who in 
Congress will take responsibility for the Treaty with Japan signing 
away Guam's rights, and who in Congress will apologize for the 
oversight in not including Guam in war claims legislation in the past? 
Who now will stand up for what is right and do what is right for the 
American citizens of Guam who endured a brutal occupation?

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