[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E557-E558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 836, the 
Filipino Veterans Equity Act. Ever since Thomas Jefferson first framed 
these words together--all men are created equal--men and women of all 
shapes, sizes, shades and statures have repeatedly maintained, 
declared, claimed and even believed that this nation is truly 
``dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.'' 
Unfortunately, even the most rudimentary historical research would 
reveal a less favorable assessment on this claim and aspiration of 
ours. This United States face daily challenges to live up to the 
Jeffersonian precept that ``All men are indeed created equal'' and, as 
in the past it seems we still are not doing what we should. As a 
second-class American citizen, a delegate, not quite a full Member of 
Congress hailing from an unincorporated territory with an unresolved 
political status, I am all too familiar with our nation's failure to 
live up to the true meaning of this declaration and our democratic 
creed. Today, I would like to share my views on another member of the 
club, second-class veterans.
  In addition to being the congressional district geographically 
situated closest to the Republic of the Philippines, Guam and its 
people share deep cultural and historic ties with the Philippines. The 
people of Guam, as with Filipinos, have, for hundreds of years, endured 
occupation, colonialism and second-class treatment by others who were 
not indigenous to their homeland. Having also suffered through three 
long years of painful and brutal occupation under the Japanese, we, the 
people of Guam, understand and appreciate the sacrifices and plight of 
Filipino World War II veterans.
  Comprised mainly of Filipino volunteers and recruits augmented by 
American soldiers, the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor delayed the 
Japanese effort to conquer the Western Pacific. This enabled U.S. 
forces to adequately prepare and launch the campaign to finally secure 
victory in the Pacific theater of World War II. Filipino veterans swore 
allegiance to the same flag, wore the same uniforms, fought, bled and 
died in the same battlefields alongside American comrades but were 
never afforded equal status. Prior to mass discharges and disbanding of 
their units in 1949, these veterans were paid only a third of what 
regular service members received at the time. Underpaid, having been 
denied benefits they were promised, and lacking proper

[[Page E558]]

recognition, General MacArthur's words, ``no army has ever done so much 
with so little,'' truly depict the plight of the remaining Filipino 
veterans today as they did half a century ago.
  Although long overdue, the President's budget for this year includes 
funding for Filipino World War II veterans. Unfortunately, the $5 
million dollar yearly provision earmarked for a selected group of 
Filipino veterans for the next five years is too little, and for many 
who have since passed on, too late. In anticipation of this, Mr. 
Filner, who introduced H.R. 836, recently made a motion to increase the 
amount in the President's budget request in order to fund health care 
for Filipino veterans. This would not fulfill the promises made and 
reneged on 50 years ago, but it would ensure that surviving veterans 
would, at least, be provided the adequate medical care and treatment 
they deserve for their last few years.
  I would like to recognize the members of the Guam Chapter of the 
Philippine Scouts Veterans Association, whose names I am submitting for 
the Record, for introducing and providing guidance to me on the issue. 
Along with Mr. Cornelio ``Corky'' Tapao, the man responsible for 
getting me acquainted with the association, these people made me 
recognize and appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of these 
heroes who fought and died for our cause in World War II. In the past, 
this country has considered Filipinos as ``little brown brothers.'' Let 
us take an extra step and go a long way toward recognizing them as 
equals by recognizing their service. I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 836.

           PHILIPPINE SCOUTS VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

         Federico Antolin; Jesus Armigos; Julio Balidio; Simeon 
           Bautista; Albert Calub; Abraham Cancino; Antonio 
           Catbagan; Alfredo De Jesus; Monorario Demasino; Avelino 
           Espulgar; Cesar Estillore; Celestino Franco; Gavino 
           Gonzales; Ross Gonzalo; Hermongenes Guanga; Marciano 
           Iglesias; Bonifacio LaPuebla; Conrad Loreque; 
           Constancio Madeloso; Gerry Magpale; Gordon Mailloux; 
           Norbert Mallorca; Pete Mandapat; Ignacio Manuel; 
           Pacifico Muyco; Estelito Papa; Andres Placides; Ignacio 
           Manuel; Artemio Razalan; Teofilo Robeniol; Juanito 
           Roldan; Joe Redonia; Hipolito Sarmiento; Fred Somera; 
           Mercedes Yara; Efren Zabala

           

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