[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR H.R. 760, THE ``FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT OF 
                                 2007''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 7, 2007

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my deep 
support for H.R. 760, the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007.''
  The treatment of Filipinos who fought with the United States Armed 
Forces in World War II is a dark chapter in American history. The 
Philippines became a United States possession after Spain ceded it as 
part of the treaty ending the Spanish-American War in 1898. In 1934, 
Congress created a 10-year time frame for independence through the 
``Philippine Independence Act.'' However, since the Philippines 
remained a colonial possession until 1946 the United States retained 
the right to call upon military forces organized by the Philippine 
Government into the United States Armed Forces.
  On July 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military 
order that brought the Philippine Commonwealth Forces under the control 
of the United States Armed Forces during World War II. These men 
bravely fought with our own troops during the war, and many perished or 
suffered severe wounds from the battles in the Western Pacific Theater. 
After the surrender of Japan, Congress required the Philippine Forces 
to continue their service. Many helped occupy lands, many oversaw 
military operations, and many made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our 
victory in World War II. Yet, when wartime service ended formally in 
1946 they did not receive the same benefits and the same treatment as 
other American soldiers.
  Yet, for all their heroic and courageous actions, Congress passed the 
``Recession Act'' in February 1946, to the objection of many, including 
General Macarthur. This essentially denied Filipino Veterans any of the 
benefits that their American comrades in arms received; including full 
access to veterans' health care, service-connected disability 
compensation, non-service connected disability compensation, dependent 
indemnity compensation, death pension, and full burial benefits. No 
other group of veterans has been systematically denied these benefits.
  Congress has the opportunity to right this wrong. H.R. 760 restores 
the benefits these brave warriors were denied. This legislation has 
been introduced since 1992. However, time is running out. In September 
2000, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimated that the number 
of surviving Filipino Veterans is 59,889. However, by 2010, VA 
estimates that their population will dwindle to just 20,000, because of 
their advanced age.
  Many argue that paying for Filipino veterans is not something 
Congress should undertake, because they are not U.S. citizens, and that 
the PAYGO offsets takes money away from Americans. However, such a 
statement fails to recognize that Filipino veterans served not merely 
as allies, but as U.S. forces. It fails to recognize that the United 
States made the same promise to provide for these veterans' needs as it 
does to any other person who serves in uniform; a promise that we have, 
up to now, failed to uphold.
  Congress must act now for the sake of justice and to show that we 
Americans truly appreciate the sacrifice these men made. Let us 
remember the heroism of these veterans by honoring their service and 
fulfilling our commitments to them. I urge the House to consider and 
pass this important measure.

                          ____________________