[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H487-H488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the centennial 
of Philippine independence, and to recognize some true heroes of World 
War II, the Filipino World War II veterans.
  Filipino soldiers were drafted into the Armed Forces by President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt and promised full benefits as American veterans. 
But those benefits were rescinded by the 79th Congress in 1946. The 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ben Gilman) and I have now introduced a 
Filipino Veterans Equity Act, H.R. 836, which would restore the 
benefits promised when these soldiers were drafted into service by the 
President of the United States and fought side by side with soldiers 
from the American mainland against a common enemy.
  Over 175 of our colleagues have cosponsored H.R. 836, in support of 
these brave veterans. A most appropriate way to commemorate the 
centennial year of Philippine independence is to pass H.R. 836 and 
restore honor and equity to the Filipino veterans of World War II.
  As Congressman of the congressional district which includes more 
Filipino American residents than any other except for Hawaii, I am very 
honored to have been chosen as their Representative in Congress. I look 
forward to participating in the 1998 celebrations commemorating 
Independence Day and the spirit, resourcefulness, warmth and compassion 
of the people of the Philippines and of Filipino Americans.
  June 12, 1898 is the day the Philippines gained its independence from 
Spain and June 12 is celebrated in the Philippines as Independence Day 
by order of President Diosdado Macapagal.
  This year, in the Philippines and in the numerous Filipino-American 
communities in the United States, lengthy celebrations are being 
prepared that will occur throughout the entire year. In my hometown of 
San Diego, a civic parade showcasing Filipino culture is among the many 
events planned to commemorate this milestone.
  Historians tell us that the Philippines was ``discovered'' in 1521 by 
Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan. In spite of a bloody battle 
between Filipino freedom fighters and the invaders,

[[Page H488]]

in which Magellan was killed, Spain, for whom Magellan worked, 
colonized the Philippines and held power for nearly 400 years.
  In 1896, Filipinos mustered the courage to bond together to overthrow 
the Spanish colonialists. Filipino revolutionaries, led by General 
Emilio Aguinaldo, took to the streets of his hometown of Kawit, Cavite, 
about 15 miles southwest of Manila and proclaimed an end to Spanish 
rule. The open resistance of the imperial power of Spain led to the 
Declaration of Independence 2 years later on June 12, 1898, and with it 
the birth of Asia's first independent nation.
  But in real terms, just as Spain slipped out, came the colonizing 
power of the United States. Spain ceded the Philippines to the U.S., 
blatantly ignoring the Filipinos' own proclamation of freedom. So, 
practically, the century of independence is somewhat of an illusion, 
for the Philippines was a territory and then a Commonwealth of the 
United States until July 4, 1946. However, Independence Day is 
celebrated for good reason on June 12 because the victory in 1898 
symbolizes to the Filipino people the triumph of political will and 
physical endurance by Filipinos against foreign control. Today, 
Filipinos are free and they have proven their quest for freedom in 
countless battles, most recently as part of the American army in World 
War II.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time we award these brave heroes with the 
recognition they deserve. Let us pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act 
this centennial year.

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