[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1077]]



 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND 
             INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4635) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and 
     Housing and Urban Development, and for sundry independent 
     agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and offices for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other 
     purposes.

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment offered 
by the distinguished gentleman from California, Mr. Filner. I commend 
my colleague for his tenacious efforts to restore benefits for Filipino 
veterans and for his steadfast support.
  The sacrifices of all veterans during World War II deserve our 
recognition and respect, and this amendment addresses a group of 
veterans who fought alongside American soldiers in the Philippines. For 
almost four years, in the fight to retake the Philippine Islands from 
Japan, 100,000 Filipino soldiers fought alongside our armed forces. 
Despite the integral role Filipino soldiers played in the Allied 
Victory in the Pacific Theater, they were denied benefits under the 
79th Congress Rescissions Act of 1946.
  Mr. Filner's amendment would attempt to address this egregious 
mistake by providing the necessary and deserved reparations to 
demonstrate the depth of our gratitude and respect for the service of 
these men in war. The age of the veterans and our country's late 
acknowledgment of their dedicated service make it imperative that these 
trusted veterans receive the requested emergency funding.
  I support this amendment to add $35 million to the VA-HUD 
Appropriations bill, H.R. 4635, so that Filipino Veterans have 
unrestricted access to Veterans facilities in both the Philippines and 
the United States, and increase the exchange rate for service-connected 
disability compensation. It is time we honored these servicemen and 
provided the benefits and compensation they deserve.
  Thank you, Mr. Filner, for your work on behalf of Filipino veterans. 
I urge my colleagues to support the Filner amendment.

                          ____________________