[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1028-S1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     GREG BAYANI'S FIGHT FOR EQUITY

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life of 
Greg Bayani, a World War II veteran and tireless advocate for Filipino-
Americans. Until

[[Page S1029]]

his death last Thursday, Mr. Bayani spent 52 years working for the day 
when Filipino veterans would receive the benefits they deserve for 
serving in the United States Army Forces in the Far East during World 
War II.
  I join the Filipino community in mourning the death of Mr. Bayani and 
my heart goes out to his wife, Salvacion and their seven children. In 
addition to serving in World War II, Mr. Bayani took great pride in 
serving his community as a schoolteacher and principal in his native 
Philippines. In 1993, Mr. Bayani retired to southern California where 
many Filipino veterans currently reside.
  Last July, Mr. Bayani sat directly behind me during a Senate hearing 
on the Filipino Veterans Equity Act. Having served under General 
Douglas MacArthur, Mr. Bayani proudly wore his full uniform that day to 
show his support for this legislation.
  Mr. President, Greg Bayani was one of hundreds of thousands of 
Filipino soldiers who dutifully served the United States during World 
War II. These troops fought side by side with Americans during our 
campaign in the Pacific, bravely defending our democratic ideals. They 
fought along side American soldiers during the infamous Bataan death 
march, a journey that claimed tens of thousands of casualties.
  The Philippines were a U.S. possession when President Roosevelt 
called up Filipino Commonwealth Army forces in July of 1941. Under this 
order, Filipino forces were eligible for full U.S. veterans benefits.
  After the war, however, Congress overturned President Roosevelt's 
order by passing the Rescissions Act, which stripped away many of the 
benefits and recognition that these soldiers earned and deserve. The 
limitation of benefits was later extended to New Philippine Scouts, 
units enlisted mainly as an occupation force following the war. We must 
correct this inequity by restoring the full benefits that these 
veterans were promised.
  Mr. President, time is running out to correct this clear injustice. 
It is tragic that the Filipino Veterans Equity Act could not be passed 
in time for Mr. Bayani and thousands of others who served the United 
States in World War II.
  This injustice has lasted 53 years. I hope Congress will correct it 
soon by restoring the benefits promised to Filipino World War II 
veterans.

                          ____________________