[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
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. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 1998

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I support H. Res. 404, which commemorates 
the friendship which the United States and the Philippines have shared 
over the last century. I am proud that the San Francisco district I 
represent has a large Filipino-American community which has contributed 
greatly to the city's diversity. The friendship of the United States 
and the Philippines will only continue to grow as we move into the 21st 
century.
  One century ago, the Philippine's gained its independence from Spain, 
which had ruled over the Filipino people ever since Magellan claimed 
the islands for Spain in 1541. That day in 1898 was truly historic, for 
it marked the beginning of the close and wonderful relationship between 
the Philippines and the United States.
  Our relationship has always been mutually beneficially. During World 
War II, as the Japanese were conquering much of Asia, the Philippines 
became an historic turning point in the Pacific theater. History 
remembers General MacArthur's promise of ``I will return'' upon 
surrendering the Philippines to the Japanese only to keep that promise 
and retake the Philippines in one of the defining moments of the 
relationship both countries share.
  Soon after the war, the Philippines gained full independence from the 
United States and became a key strategic ally throughout the cold war.
  Today, the Philippines is one of the few true democracy's in Asia. In 
1986, the world was captivated when Corazon Aquino's ``People Power'' 
revolution brought her into office. And just last month, the 
Philippines held peaceful elections resulting in their country's third 
democratically elected president in 12 years.
  As we enter the next century, we must work together to address new 
challenges. In moving forward though, we must embrace and reconcile 
past discrepancies. I therefore urge my colleagues to rectify a broken 
promise made during World War II. Fighting under the flag of the United 
States, many Filipino soldiers were promised full veterans benefits by 
the United States only to see that promise withdrawn after the war was 
won.
  I ask my colleagues, what better tribute to our relationship with the 
Philippines than to honor this promise as we end the 20th century. We 
must demonstrate, as General MacArthur did, the importance of keeping 
promises. Then we can work closely to address the problems of the next 
century.

                          ____________________