[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE OF THE UNITED 
                  STATES AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LUIS V. GUTIERREZ

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 1998

  Mr. GUTIERREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 404. I also take the floor to call on my colleagues to do 
more than simply commend the Phillipine people on this historic 
occasion. I also ask that we pass the Filipino Veterans Equity Act--
House bill 836--this year.
  House bill 836 does more than offer cursory thank yous to the 
thousands of Filipino veterans who fought with us during World War Two. 
This bill provides the real compensation and veterans benefits that our 
government promised to these brave veterans in 1946.
  100 years ago the people of the Phillipines won their independence 
from Spain. Since that time, the Phillipines has remained one of our 
nation's closest allies in Southeastern Asia. I commend the people of 
the Phillipines for reaching this important milestone.
  The resolution before us today thanks the people of the Phillipines 
for fighting on our side during the Second World War, Korea and 
Vietnam. Indeed, thousands of Filipinos died fighting for the freedoms 
that both our peoples now enjoy.
  At the terrible battles of Bataan and Corregidor, Filipino soldiers 
defended the American flag. They fought side by side with boys from 
Chicago, the plains of Kansas and other small towns and cities in 
America. They also suffered the brutality and inhumane treatment that 
the Japanese army inflicted on allied troops throughout 1941.
  These are historical facts that we recognized in resolutions passed 
in both chambers of Congress last year.
  Yet today, as we move to recognize our close ties to the people of 
the Phillipines, we sadly fail to honor the real debts we owe to these 
Filipino veterans who helped us keep the world free.
  It has been more than a half century since Congress rescinded 
veterans benefits to members of the Phillipine Commonwealth Army and 
Special Phillipines Scouts. This is a half century too long. So today, 
as we commemorate 100 years of relations between the United States and 
the Phillipines, I ask that we correct the injustices of the past by 
committing ourselves to greater action for Filipino veterans in the 
future.
  Let us pass House Resolution 404 today and let us pass House bill 
836, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, later this session.

                          ____________________