[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             THE BELLS OF BALANGIGA: IT IS TIME TO GO HOME

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2005

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to speak about 
my resolution, H. Res. 313, which urges the President to authorize the 
transfer of ownership to the Philippines of one of the bells taken in 
1901 from the town of Balangiga in the Philippines. The bells are 
currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
  In the 100 years since the taking of the bells occurred, the citizens 
of the United States and the Philippines have shared many historic and 
political ties. The Philippines was a staunch ally of the United States 
during World War II. Brave Filipino soldiers were drafted into service 
by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, fought side-by-side with American 
soldiers, and were instrumental in the successful outcome of World War 
II. Filipino soldiers also fought alongside our soldiers on the 
battlefields of Korea and Vietnam.
  Since the independence of the Philippines in 1946, the U.S.-
Philippine relationship has been largely one of friendship and 
cooperation. The Philippines is a republic patterned basically on our 
own system of government. The Philippines is a valuable trading partner 
of the U.S. and an ally in the war against terrorism. Approximately two 
million Americans are of Filipino descent and close to 130,000 United 
States citizens reside in the Philippines. The acts of conflict that 
surrounded the taking of the bells of Balangiga are not consistent with 
the friendship that is currently an integral part of the relationship 
between our two nations.
  The Republic of the Philippines has repeatedly requested the return 
of the bells. They are an important symbol to the Filipino people, who 
wish to have them re-installed in the belfry of the Balangiga Church. I 
believe that it is time to resolve this situation in order to solidify 
the bonds between our two nations. My resolution would honor and 
promote the positive relationship our countries enjoy.
  A compromise measure has been suggested to return one of the bells, 
as my resolution calls for, and to create two replica bells--one for 
each country. This compromise would satisfy most Filipino veterans.
  As the years pass, I am confident that relations between our two 
nations will grow even stronger. To that end, the United States 
Government, which has final disposition over the Bells of Balangiga, 
should transfer ownership of one of the bells to the people of the 
Philippines as a measure of good will and cooperation. I urge the 
passage of my resolution.

                          ____________________