[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1884-E1885]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FILIPINO VETERANS BENEFIT VOTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. MICA. Madam Speaker, I am truly disappointed that the United 
States Congress today would even consider giving benefits to Filipino 
veterans and ignore American veterans who were victims of the Bataan 
Death March in the Philippines.
  In crafting H.R. 6897, which gives all Filipino veterans benefits, 
did you know that the Veterans' Affairs Committee dumped a provision to 
the bill that would have authorized $4 a day for the American survivors 
of the Bataan Death March?
  Did you know that of the 4,500 veterans that survived the march, 
there are only 1,700 American veterans or spouses alive today? Why 
would Congress ignore these American veterans and their spouses?

[[Page E1885]]

  Passing any legislation that would give foreigners veterans benefits 
from the American taxpayer without providing just compensation to our 
citizen veterans is unfair. These are Americans who in the Bataan Death 
March were tortured, imprisoned, and starved; and, to date, have been 
denied benefits Congress would grant to Filipinos. Does the United 
States Congress have no conscence? Furthermore, it is incredible that 
the Japanese Diet is considering giving benefits to the Japanese 
captors who are responsible for torturing and maiming our own men. Now 
the U.S. Congress is adding another insult to those who suffered in the 
Bataan Death March. The provision that was not included in H.R. 6897, 
the Filipino Benefits bill, is included in H.R. 1570, The Samuel B. 
Moody Bataan Death March Compensation Act, which I have introduced year 
after year. A copy of a previous ``Dear Colleague'' letter that I sent 
to Members of Congress and the Veterans' Affairs Committee contained 
the following information.


         Bataan Death March Survivors Deserve Just Compensation

       Dear Colleague: In 1942, American and Allied troops fought 
     bravely against the Japanese army during the Second World War 
     on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. Due to the low 
     supplies and no hope of reinforcements, these men fought 
     valiantly until they were forced to surrender to the enemy. 
     Our troops were corralled in the Mariveles, just south of 
     Bataan, and were forced to endure the journey of their 
     lives--the Bataan Death March.
       Treatment by their Japanese captors was inhumane and often 
     fatal as those who could not continue marching were summarily 
     beaten or executed on the spot. Many marchers attempted to 
     escape into the jungles and some succeeded; however, most 
     were forced to continue on their journey. Once they reached 
     the railroad sidings, the troops were crammed into railroad 
     cars like cattle. After reaching Camp O'Donnell in the 
     jungles of Arlac Province, our soldiers were held as 
     prisoners of war (POWs) for over 3\1/2\ years.
       Over the years, Congress has adopted provisions concerning 
     the pay, allowances and benefits of members of the uniformed 
     services in ``missing status'' and ``POWs''. As a general 
     proposition, the provisions are intended to leave members of 
     the uniformed services who are in ``missing status'' and 
     ``POWs'', including their dependents, in the same position 
     they would have been if the members were not missing. 
     Unfortunately, veterans of the Bataan Death March were never 
     given their due allowances or benefits. It is only fitting 
     that those soldiers who bravely fought and sacrificed for our 
     freedom be appropriately compensated for their service to our 
     country.
       In an effort to give these brave men their just benefits, I 
     have introduced H.R. 1570. This legislation would provide 
     compensation to those individuals who were forced to partake 
     and held imprisoned following the ruthless procession. I ask 
     you to join me in this effort by cosponsoring this 
     legislation and ensuring that those who gave so much in 
     service to our Nation receive just compensation for their 
     sacrifice and valor. Today a grave injustice was committed 
     when American POW Bataan Death March Survivors were ignored 
     and left behind.

       While this statement is in opposition to the action 
     approved by the U.S. House today, I in no way want to imply 
     that the military service sacrifice by Filipino nationals to 
     the United States should not be recognized, appreciated or 
     properly compensated.

                          ____________________