[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1010
      RECOGNIZING AUGUSTO OPPUS AND OTHER DENIED FILIPINO VETERANS

  (Mr. HECK asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HECK. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today saddened by the 
news of the passing of World War II veteran and Las Vegas resident 
Augusto Oppus over this past weekend. Mr. Oppus was part of a small 
community known as the ``Denied Filipino Veterans.''
  Born in the Philippines on August 28, 1924, Mr. Oppus entered into 
military service on behalf of the United States in March of 1945 and 
was trained as a military policeman. He served in the 12th Military 
Police Company and was honorably discharged in 1946.
  While he enjoyed a happy, healthy life following the war, one thing 
Mr. Oppus did not share with his fellow World War II veterans was full 
recognition for his service and access to military benefits he had 
rightfully earned.
  In February 1946, President Truman signed the Rescission Act of 1946 
into law. This bill denied over 200,000 Filipino World War II veterans 
who served before July 1, 1946, the benefits promised to them 5 years 
prior by President Franklin Roosevelt. The men who joined prior to July 
of '46 put their lives on the line for the Allied cause and helped us 
win the war in the Pacific, yet, due to a technicality, are not 
afforded the recognition they deserve.
  With every day that passes, it is estimated that 10 of these 
forgotten soldiers die having received no answer or recognition of 
service from our government. Men like Augusto Oppus deserve the 
recognition and access to benefits they've earned.
  My district is home to four remaining forgotten Filipino veterans. 
Besides Augusto, we lost Francisco Cedula last year, and I want their 
families to know that I am personally thankful for their service and 
will continue working to see them properly recognized.

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