[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 71 (Tuesday, June 4, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H3132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      JUNE 13 HEARING ON FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS' BENEFITS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Filner) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind the Members of this House 
that on Thursday, June 13, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, there will be a 
hearing before the Subcommittee on Health of the Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs, conducted by the honorable gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), 
who happens to be in the room tonight, who is the chairman of that 
subcommittee, on the issue of health care for Filipino World War II 
veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  This is not a normal hearing, Mr. Speaker, but it is the culmination 
of almost 60 years, 60 years, of a struggle for justice and honor. 
During World War II, the brave Filipino soldiers were drafted into our 
Armed Forces by President Franklin Roosevelt. After being called into 
service, the soldiers served side by side with forces from the United 
States mainland, exhibited great courage at the epic battles of Bataan 
and Corregidor, and were instrumental in contributing to the successful 
outcome of the war. They held up the Japanese advance far beyond their 
calendar so we were able to prepare and harass the Japanese with 
guerrilla warfare during the whole time of the Japanese occupation. And 
what did we do after we won the war in the Pacific and in Europe? We 
unceremoniously deprived these soldiers of the veterans' benefits due 
them by the Congressional Rescissions Act passed in 1946.
  Whereas there was almost a quarter of a million soldiers involved in 
that war from the Philippines, today there are only 60,000 who are 
still alive. Their last wish, Mr. Speaker, is to have the honor and 
dignity of being recognized by the United States as a veteran of World 
War II.
  At this hearing on Thursday, June 13, literally a living American 
history will be presented to the American public. We will have 
testimony, both oral and written, from Filipino World War II veterans, 
some of whom are survivors of the infamous Death March of Bataan. We 
will hear testimony from Filipino veterans' organizations and from 
veterans' service organizations, like the American Legion, the Vietnam 
Veterans of America, and the Disabled American Veterans. The ambassador 
from the Philippines, the Honorable Albert Del Rosario, will be a 
witness, as will several Members of Congress from both sides of the 
aisle.
  A special guest witness will be Lou Diamond Phillips, born in the 
Philippines, and an international star, with roles in movies, 
television and theater. Phillips is most well-known for his role in 
``La Bamba,'' for which he received great critical acclaim. He has also 
starred in ``Stand and Deliver,'' ``Young Guns,'' and ``Courage Under 
Fire.'' We welcome him and all the others who will be testifying to the 
need to provide Filipino World War II veterans with the recognition 
that is their due.
  Mr. Speaker, let us recognize the bravery and gallantry of Filipino 
veterans. Let us give them equity, because their bravery helped us win 
World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Health of 
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. 
Moran), for having this hearing, and I invite all the Members of this 
House to attend the historic June 13 meeting.

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