[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petition or memorial was laid before the Senate and was 
referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-17. A resolution adopted by the legislature of the 
     Province of Batangas, Republic of the Philippines, forwarded 
     by the Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Legislative 
     Affairs, Department of State, commending and expressing 
     thanksgiving and commendation to the President of the United 
     States, the U.S. Congress, and the American taxpayers for the 
     signing of the U.S. Economic Stimulus Package, which includes 
     $198 million in benefits to Filipino veterans who fought 
     side-by-side with American soldiers in World War II; to the 
     Committee on Appropriations.

                           Resolution No. 169

       Whereas, the U.S. Economic Stimulus Package, recently 
     signed into law by President Barack Obama includes some $198 
     Million in benefits to Filipino Veterans who fought with 
     American soldiers of World War II;
       Whereas, as provided, a one-time payment of $15,000 for 
     each Filipino Veteran who had since become a U.S. citizen and 
     $9,000 for non-citizens will be made to former soldiers or 
     their surviving spouses;
       Whereas, historically, it is a fact that Filipino Veterans 
     of World War II had been conscripted and fought side-by-side 
     with their American comrades in the Pacific Theater, more 
     specifically in the battle front of Bataan and Corregidor. 
     Quoting Senator Daniel Inouye of the American Senate: ``In 
     1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a military 
     order calling on the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines to 
     serve with the U.S. Army in the Far East, entitling Filipino 
     soldiers who served full U.S. Veterans benefits because of 
     their service'';
       Whereas, the best feature of the provision is its 
     unequivocal recognition of the role played by Filipino 
     Veterans during the World War II. The implication is that it 
     is important enough to stand alongside solutions to 
     Americans' present day economic slump. This rectifies 
     previous ``snubs''--laws reneging on promises made to these 
     soldiers as part of the U.S.' post war cost-saving measures, 
     like the U.S. Recession Act of 1946, duly signed by then 
     President Harry S. Truman into law;
       Whereas, the measure is hailed by many and is seen as a 
     victory after more than four decades of expectations. The 
     surviving veterans are now in their 80s and 90s, any form of 
     compensation will help make the remaining days of their lives 
     more meaningful;
       Now therefore, on motion by Honorable Board Member 
     Florencio A. De Loyola, duly seconded,
       Resolved, As it is hereby resolved, to COMMEND AND EXPRESS 
     ITS SINCEREST THANKS to his Excellency President BARACK OBAMA 
     of the United States of America, the American Congress more 
     particularly the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
     Honorable NANCY PELOSI, Senate President Honorable JOSEPH R. 
     BIDEN JR., Democrat Senator from Hawaii Honorable DANIEL 
     INOUYE and the American Taxpayers, in general, for the 
     signing of the U.S. Economic Stimulus Package which includes 
     some $198 Million in benefits to Filipino Veterans who fought 
     side-by-side with American Soldiers in World War II.

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