[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 30 (Friday, February 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. AKAKA (for himself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. 
        Cantwell, and Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 671. A bill to exempt children of certain Filipino World War II 
veterans from the numerical limitations on immigrant visas; to the 
Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President. I rise today with my distinguished 
colleagues Senators Harry Reid, Daniel Inouye, Barbara Boxer, Maria 
Cantwell, and Edward Kennedy to introduce a bill which will award 
special immigrant status to the children of naturalized Filipino 
veterans who fought in World War II thereby allowing these veterans to 
become reunited with their families.
  With the passage of the Immigration Act of 1990, the courage of many 
Filipino soldiers who fought alongside our troops during World War II 
was finally honored and acknowledged by our government and they were 
offered the opportunity to obtain U.S. citizenship. However, the Act 
did not extend this opportunity to the sons and daughters of these 
veterans. As a result, many of the brave men who defended this Nation 
may spend the last years of their lives without the comfort and care of 
their families.
  For over twenty years, many of the sons and daughters of these 
soldiers have been waiting to obtain immigrant visas. While some have 
been fortunate enough to have their visas approved, other are still 
waiting because of a backlog. This is unacceptable. My legislation will 
finally allow them to reunite with their elderly parents.
  I urge my Senate colleagues to honor the sacrifices of these brave 
men by supporting this bill and allowing those who have served our 
country so valiantly to have their families by their side for the 
remainder of their years.
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