[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H7020-H7024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2015
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (S. 1555) to award a Congressional Gold Medal,
collectively, to the Filipino veterans of World War II, in recognition
of the dedicated service of the veterans during World War II.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 1555
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Filipino Veterans of World
War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The First Philippine Republic was founded as a result
of the Spanish-American War in which Filipino revolutionaries
and the United States Armed Forces fought to overthrow
Spanish colonial rule. On June 12, 1898, Filipinos declared
the Philippines to be an independent and sovereign nation.
The Treaty of Paris negotiated between the United States and
Spain ignored this declaration of independence, and the
United States paid Spain $20,000,000 to cede control of the
Philippines to the United States. Filipino nationalists who
sought independence rather than a change in colonial rulers
clashed with forces of the United States in the Islands. The
Philippine-American War, which officially lasted for 3 years
from 1899 to 1902, led to the establishment of the United
States civil government in the Philippines.
(2) In 1901, units of Filipino soldiers who fought for the
United States against the nationalist insurrection were
formally incorporated into the United States Army as the
Philippine Scouts.
(3) In 1934, the Philippine Independence Act (Public Law
73-127; 48 Stat. 456) established a timetable for ending
colonial rule of the United States. Between 1934 and
Philippine independence in 1946, the United States retained
sovereignty over Philippine foreign policy and reserved the
right to call Filipinos into the service of the United States
Armed Forces.
(4) On December 21 1935, President of the Philippine
Commonwealth, Manuel Quezon, signed the National Defense Act,
passed by the Philippine Assembly. General Douglas MacArthur
set upon the task of creating an independent army in the
Philippines, consisting of a small regular force, the
Philippine Constabulary, a police force created during the
colonial period of the United States, and reservists. By July
1941, the Philippine army had 130,000 reservists and 6,000
officers.
(5) On July 26, 1941, as tensions with Japan rose in the
Pacific, President Franklin D. Roosevelt used his authority
vested in the Constitution of the United States and the
Philippine Independence Act to ``call into service of the
United States . . . all of the organized military forces of
the Government of the Philippines.'' On July 27th, 1941, in
accordance with a War Department directive received a day
earlier, the United States Forces in the Far East (USAFFE)
was established, and Manila was designated as the command
headquarters. Commander of the USAFFE, General Douglas
MacArthur, planned to absorb the entire Philippine army into
the USAFFE in phases. The first phase, which began on
September 1, 1941, included 25,000 men and 4,000 officers.
(6) Filipinos who served in the USAFFE included--
(A) the Philippine Scouts, who comprised half of the 22,532
soldiers in the Philippine Department, or United States Army
garrison stationed in the Islands at the start of the war;
(B) the Philippine Commonwealth Army;
(C) the new Philippine Scouts, or Filipinos who volunteered
to serve with the United States Army when the United States
Armed Forces returned to the island;
(D) Filipino civilians who volunteered to serve in the
United States Armed Forces in 1945 and 1946, and who became
``attached'' to various units of the United States Army; and
(E) the ``Guerrilla Services'' who had fought behind enemy
lines throughout the war.
(7) Even after hostilities ceased, wartime service of the
new Philippine Scouts continued as a matter of law until the
end of 1946, and the force gradually disbanded until it was
disestablished in 1950.
(8) On December 8th, 1941, not even 24 hours after the
bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese Imperial forces attacked
bases of the United States Army in the Philippines.
(9) In the spring of 1942, the Japanese 14th Army overran
the Bataan Peninsula, and, after a heroic but futile defense,
more than 78,000 members of the United States Armed Forces
were captured, specifically 66,000 Filipinos and 12,000
service members from the United States. The Japanese
transferred the captured soldiers from Bataan to Camp
O'Donnell, in what is now known as the infamous Bataan Death
March. Forced to march the 70-mile distance in 1 week,
without adequate food, water, or medicine, nearly 700 members
of the United States Armed Forces and an estimated 6,000 to
10,000 Filipinos perished during the journey.
(10) After the fall of the Bataan Peninsula, the Japanese
Army turned its sights on Corregidor. The estimated forces in
defense of Corregidor totaled 13,000, and were comprised of
members of the United States Armed Forces and Filipino
troops. Of this number, 800 were killed, 1,000 were wounded,
and 11,000 were captured and forced to march through the city
of Manila, after which the captured troops were distributed
to various POW camps. The rest of the captured troops escaped
to organize or join an underground guerrilla army.
(11) Even before the fall of Corregidor, Philippine
resistance, in the form of guerrilla armies, began to wage
warfare on the Japanese invaders. Guerrilla armies, from
Northern Luzon to Mindanao--
(A) raided Japanese camps, stealing weapons and supplies;
(B) sabotaged and ambushed Japanese troops on the move; and
(C) with little weaponry, and severely outmatched in
numbers, began to extract victories.
(12) Japanese intelligence reports reveal that from the
time the Japanese invaded until the return of the United
States Armed Forces in the summer of 1944, an estimated
300,000 Filipinos continued to fight against Japanese forces.
Filipino resistance against the Japanese was so strong that,
in 1942, the Imperial Army formed the Morista Butai, a unit
designated to suppress guerrillas.
(13) Because Philippine guerrillas worked to restore
communication with United States forces in the Pacific,
General MacArthur was able to use the guerrillas in advance
of a conventional operation and provided the headquarters of
General MacArthur with valuable information. Guerrillas
captured and transmitted to the headquarters of General
MacArthur Japanese naval plans for the Central Pacific,
including defense plans for the Mariana Islands. Intelligence
derived from guerrillas relating to aircraft, ship, and troop
movements allowed for Allied forces to attack Japanese supply
lines and guerrillas and even directed United States
submarines where to land agents and cargo on the Philippine
coast.
(14) On December 20, 1941, President Roosevelt signed the
Selective Training and Service Amendments Act (Public Law 77-
360; 55 Stat. 844) which, among other things, allowed
Filipinos in the United States to enlist in the United States
Armed Forces. In February 1942, President Roosevelt issued
the Second War Powers Act (Public Law 77-507; 56 Stat. 176),
promising a simplified naturalization process for Filipinos
who served in the United States Armed Forces. Subsequently,
16,000 Filipinos in California alone decided to enlist.
(15) The mobilization of forces included the activation and
assumption of command of the First Filipino Infantry
Battalion on April 1, 1942, at Camp San Luis Obispo,
California. Orders were issued to activate the First Filipino
Infantry Regiment and Band at Salinas, California, effective
July 13, 1942. The activation of the Second Filipino Infantry
Regiment occurred at Fort Ord, California, on November 21,
1942. Nearly 9,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans fought in
the United States Army 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry
Regiments.
(16) Soldiers of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Regiments
participated in the bloody combat and mop-up operations at
New Guinea, Leyte, Samar, Luzon, and the Southern
Philippines. In 1943, 800 men were selected from the 1st and
2nd Regiments and shipped to Australia to receive training in
intelligence gathering, sabotage, and demolition. Reorganized
as part of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, this group was
sent to the Philippines to coordinate with major guerrilla
armies in the Islands. Members of the 1st Regiment were also
attached to the United States 6th Army ``Alamo Scouts'', a
reconnaissance group that traveled 30 miles behind enemy
lines to free Allied prisoners from the Cabanatuan death camp
on January 30, 1945. In addition, in 1945, according to the
441st Counter Intelligence Unit of the United States Armed
Forces, Philippine guerrillas provided ``very important
information and sketches of enemy positions and
installations'' for the liberation of the Santo Tomas
prisoner of war camp, an event that made front page news
across the United States.
(17) In March 1944, members of the 2nd Filipino Infantry
Regiment were selected for
[[Page H7021]]
special assignments, including intelligence missions, and
reorganized as the 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion
(Separate). The 2nd Filipino Infantry Battalion (Separate)
contributed to mop-up operations as a civil affairs unit.
(18) Filipinos participated in the war out of national
pride, as well as out of a commitment to the Allied forces
struggle against fascism. 57,000 Filipinos in uniform died in
the war effort. Estimates of civilian deaths range from
700,000 to upwards of 1,000,000, or between 4.38 to 6.25
percent of the prewar population of 16,000,000.
(19) Because Filipinos who served in the Commonwealth Army
of the Philippines were originally considered a part of the
Allied struggle, the military order issued by President
Roosevelt on July 26, 1941, stated that Filipinos who served
in the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines were entitled to
full veterans benefits. The guarantee to pay back the service
of Filipinos through veterans benefits was reversed by the
Rescission Acts of 1946 (Public Laws 79-301 and 79-391; 60
Stat. 6 and 60 Stat. 221), which deemed that the wartime
service of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines and the
new Philippine Scouts was not considered active and,
therefore, did not qualify for benefits.
(20) The loyal and valiant Filipino Veterans of World War
II fought, suffered, and, in many instances, died in the same
manner and under the same commander as other members of the
United States Armed Forces during World War II.
(21) The Filipino Veterans of World War II fought
alongside, and as an integral part of, the United States
Armed Forces. The Philippines remained a territory of the
United States for the duration of the war and, accordingly,
the United States maintained sovereignty over Philippine
foreign relations, including Philippine laws enacted by the
Philippine Government. Filipinos who fought in the
Philippines were not only defending or fighting for the
Philippines, but also defending, and ultimately liberating,
sovereign territory held by the United States Government.
(22) The United States remains forever indebted to the
bravery, valor, and dedication that the Filipino Veterans of
World War II displayed. Their commitment and sacrifice
demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of
patriotism and honor.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(a) the term ``Filipino Veterans of World War II''
includes any individual who served--
(1) honorably at any time during the period beginning on
July 26, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946;
(2) in an active-duty status under the command of the
United States Armed Forces in the Far East; and
(3)(A) within the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the
Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Constabulary, Recognized
Guerrilla units, the New Philippine Scouts, the First
Filipino Infantry Regiment, the Second Filipino Infantry
Battalion (Separate), or the First Reconnaissance Battalion;
or
(B) commanding or serving in a unit described in paragraph
(3)(A) as a United States military officer or enlisted
soldier; and
(b) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
Treasury.
SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Award Authorized.--The President pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of
Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design to the
Filipino Veterans of World War II in recognition of the
dedicated service of the veterans during World War II.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary shall strike the
Gold Medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions,
to be determined by the Secretary.
(c) Smithsonian Institution.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in
honor of the Filipino Veterans of World War II, the gold
medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it
will be available for display as appropriate and made
available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal
received under paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere,
particularly at other appropriate locations associated with
the Filipino Veterans of World War II.
(d) Duplicate Medals.--
(1) In general.--Under regulations that the Secretary may
promulgate, the Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in
bronze of the gold medal struck under this Act, at a price
sufficient to cover the costs of the medals, including labor,
materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.
(2) Sale of duplicate medals.--The amounts received from
the sale of duplicate medals under paragraph (1) shall be
deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medals.--Medals struck under this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31,
United States Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this
Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Huizenga) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.
General Leave
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this is a special one for me, personally. I rise today
in support of S. 1555, the Filipino Veterans of World War II
Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, introduced by Senator Hirono.
{time} 1700
This bill, which was passed in the Senate on July 13, has companion
legislation here in the House, H.R. 2737, introduced by our colleague,
Representative Gabbard, which has 312 House cosponsors.
The reason why it is a special one to me is I have spent significant
time in the Philippines and have many close Filipino friends, and know
the dedication of the Philippines collectively, and those families who
paid an ultimate sacrifice during World War II. I have actually visited
our World War II cemetery in Manila, and have seen the headstones and
gravestones of many Filipinos who were there fighting alongside of us
as well. That is why it is a special opportunity for me, as chair of
the subcommittee that has jurisdiction over this, to be involved.
So this bill authorizes the striking and awarding of a single
Congressional Gold Medal of appropriate design to the Filipino Veterans
of World War II in recognition of their heroic and dedicated service.
Following the award, the medal will be given to the Smithsonian
Institute, where it will be available for display as appropriate, or
available for display elsewhere, particularly at other locations
associated with the Filipino Veterans of World War II.
The Treasury Secretary is authorized to make and offer for sale
bronze replicas of the medal at a price that will help defray the
design and production costs of the actual medal.
Mr. Speaker, Japanese Imperial forces attacked the Philippines the
day after bombing the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor almost exactly 75 years
ago on December 7, 1941. At that point, the Philippines still were a
United States colony, though the process that led to its independence
in 1946 actually began in 1934.
Fortunately, the Philippines formed its own armed forces. Four months
before the Pearl Harbor attack, President Roosevelt brought the 136,000
members of the force into a full state of readiness to defend the U.S.
and its territories and colonies.
I will leave it to the House sponsor of the companion bill to
describe the heroism of those soldiers and the sacrifices that they
made in defense of the United States and their homeland; but suffice it
to say that it was a difficult and costly defense that they waged.
I will note that our embassy sits right on the bay in Manila today
and overlooks Corregidor and so many other places there in the
Philippines that were witness to those battles, including my own uncle
who, at the time, served in the Navy and helped deliver goods and
services throughout the Pacific and into the Philippines as well.
Mr. Speaker, Congress has authorized Congressional Gold Medals in
recognition of the heroic efforts of Japanese Americans, Native
Americans, and Puerto Rican soldiers, among others, in defense of this
country during World War II and in other conflicts. This recognition of
Filipino veterans of World War II is long overdue, and I urge immediate
passage of the bill.
I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on House Administration,
Washington, DC, November 30, 2016.
Hon. Jeb Hensarling,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I write to you regarding S. 1555. As you
know, the bill was received in the House of Representatives
on
[[Page H7022]]
July 17, 2016 and referred to the Committee on Financial
Services and in addition to the Committee on House
Administration. The bill seeks to award a Congressional Gold
Medal, collectively, to the Filipino veterans of World War
II, in recognition of the dedicated service of the veterans
during World War II. S. 1555 passed the Senate without
amendment by unanimous consent on July 13, 2016.
I realize that discharging the Committee on House
Administration from further consideration of S. 1555 will
serve in the best interest of the House of Representatives
and agree to do so. It is the understanding of the Committee
on House Administration that forgoing action on S. 1555 will
not prejudice the Committee with respect to appointment of
conferees or any future jurisdictional claim. I request that
this letter and any response be included in in the
Congressional Record.
Sincerely,
Candice S. Miller,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, November 30, 2016.
Hon. Candice Miller,
Chairman, Committee on House Administration, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Miller: Thank you for your November 30th
letter regarding S. 1555, the ``Filipino Veterans of World
War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015.''
I am most appreciative of your decision to forego action on
S. 1555 so that it may move expeditiously to the House floor.
I acknowledge that although you are waiving action on the
bill, the Committee on House Administration is in no way
waiving its jurisdictional interest in this or similar
legislation. In addition, if a conference is necessary on
this legislation, I will support any request that your
committee be represented therein.
Finally, I shall be pleased to include your letter and this
letter on S. 1555 in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the same.
Sincerely,
Jeb Hensarling,
Chairman.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in strong support of S. 1555, legislation to award a
Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the Filipino Veterans of World
War II in recognition of their service and sacrifice and their role in
defeating the Imperial Japanese Army.
While we are taking up the Senate-passed version of the Filipino
Veterans of World War II Congressional Medal Act today, I want to
acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the gentlewoman from
Hawaii, Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who has led the effort to move
this same legislation across the finish line here in the House. Since
introducing the legislation, Representative Gabbard has garnered the
support of more than 300 House cosponsors, and I am proud to be among
them.
In 1934, the United States began a 10-year period of bringing its
colonial rule to an end. During that time, the U.S. retained control
over Philippine foreign policy and maintained the right to call
Filipinos into the service of the United States Armed Forces.
As tensions with Japan began to rise in 1941, President Franklin
Roosevelt invoked his authority to call all organized military forces
of the Government of the Philippines into the service of the United
States. Responding to his call to arms, more than 200,000 Filipinos
fought on behalf of the U.S. as part of the United States Armed Forces
in the Far East.
The force included the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Commonwealth
Army, the new Philippine Scouts, Filipino civilians who served on a
voluntary basis, and the Guerrilla Services who fought behind enemy
lines throughout the war.
Over the course of the war, an estimated 57,000 Filipinos in uniform
perished, and many more Filipino civilian lives were lost. Despite this
loyalty and tremendous sacrifice, and the U.S. commitment to provide
Filipinos who served as part of the Allied struggle with full veterans
benefits, this promise was shamefully withdrawn by the Rescission Act
of 1946 at the close of the war.
While a number of benefits have since been made available to the
Filipino veterans, we must continue to work to ensure that those who
risked their lives to defend the United States and the free world are
provided with the full benefits, honor, and respect that they deserve.
This legislation has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the
Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the National
Federation of Filipino American Associations, and many other
distinguished organizations.
I urge Members to pass this legislation, which takes a modest but
welcome step to recognize the contributions of Filipino veterans of
World War II.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the chairman of
the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support here for the
Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, and I
am one of the proud cosponsors, along with my colleagues here, of this
act.
I have had an opportunity over the last couple of years to travel
twice to the Philippines. One of them was right after the cyclone hit
Tacloban, and we took a delegation there.
As you travel across the islands of the Philippines, it is a constant
reminder of the enormity of the sacrifice as you see those battle
sites, the enormity of the sacrifice made by this unsung group of
heroes who fought so courageously for the defense of our country,
during what is really one of the most perilous moments of American
history, and their valor and their patriotism is deserving of this
recognition from Congress.
I don't think many Americans understand how quickly the reaction
across the Philippines, in terms of Pearl Harbor, more than 250,000
Filipino soldiers responded to President Roosevelt's call to arms to
fit under the American flag.
In addition to that, just in my State of California, we had 16,000
Filipino Americans that went forward and enlisted, where the U.S. Army
then formed the 1st and 2nd Filipino American Infantry Regiments. That
is where those regiments were organized.
On December 8, 1941--and this was not 24 hours after the bombing of
Pearl Harbor--it was at that moment in time that the Japanese Imperial
forces attacked the U.S. bases in the Philippines. Filipinos and
Filipino Americans fought valiantly in the push to regain the
Philippines from Imperial Japanese forces.
Mr. Speaker, 57,000 Filipinos in uniform died in the war effort. More
than that, among the casualties of those who struggled against Japan,
but 50,000 Filipinos in uniform, and they gave their lives in battles
such as Bataan and Corregidor; and their sacrifice was absolutely
instrumental in disrupting the enemy's advancement in the Pacific.
As President Harry Truman made clear: ``They fought as American
nationals under the American flag and under the direction of our
military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under the most
difficult conditions. . . .''
So I am honored to rise today in support of recognizing these great
heroes. The contributions of the Filipino World War II veterans are a
very important part of American military history, and their
accomplishments deserve the recognition of the Congressional Gold
Medal.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard), the lead sponsor of the House version of this
bill.
Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of representing the
Second Congressional District in Hawaii, a State that has deep cultural
roots and ties to the contributions that Filipino Americans have made
to our Nation throughout history, from driving Hawaii's plantation-
based economy in the early 20th Century, serving in our Armed Forces,
to becoming leaders in every industry and sector in our State and
across the country.
It is an honor to stand here today as a voice for the more than
200,000 Filipino and Filipino American soldiers that served our country
during World War II. These loyal and courageous soldiers suffered,
sacrificed, fought, and gave their lives alongside their American
counterparts throughout the war.
We have waited far too long to recognize these heroes, who deserve
this honor, in standing alongside units like the Tuskegee Airmen and
Hawaii's own 442nd/100th Infantry Battalion with being awarded the
Congressional Gold Medal, our Nation's highest civilian honor.
With just 18,000 of these Filipino World War II veterans still alive
and
[[Page H7023]]
with us today, we cannot afford to wait any longer.
I would like to thank the 312 House Members, Republicans and
Democrats, and 71 Senators that cosponsored this bipartisan
legislation, representing nearly every State and territory in our
country.
I also want to say a special mahalo nui loa to my colleagues,
Congressman Joe Heck, who is the Republican lead on this legislation;
Congresswoman Judy Chu; and Congressman Mike Honda, for working with me
to push this bill through the House; and my colleague, Senator Mazie
Hirono, who is here today; as well as Senator Dean Heller, for
championing this bill in the Senate; all of our staff; and both
Democrat and Republican leadership for their efforts, commitment, and
support to passing this legislation.
I would also like to recognize Major General Antonio Taguba, who
joins us today in the gallery, and the Filipino Veterans Recognition
and Education Project for their years of commitment to this historic
effort and for continuing to fight to ensure we remember and recognize
the legacy of our Filipino World War II veterans as a critical part of
our American history.
Major General Taguba's father, Staff Sergeant Tomas Taguba, was a
soldier in the 45th Infantry Regiment Philippine Division that served
alongside the U.S. Army during the war, where he fought in the Battle
of Bataan. He survived the Bataan Death March.
This legislation is a testament to Staff Sergeant Tomas Taguba, and
the hundreds of thousands of Filipino World War II veterans who deserve
a place of recognition amongst our greatest generation. Thank you very
much to all of you: ``Miraming salamat sa inyong lahat.''
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to pass this long overdue
legislation today. Time is of the essence. We must honor these
courageous men while they are still among us and recognize their
dedicated service to our Nation and our history.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded not to reference guests
in the gallery.
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, with that admonishment, I
won't say Ma-Bu-Hi and welcome to our Filipino friends in the gallery;
but I will yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from
Nevada (Mr. Heck), the lead sponsor on the Republican side.
Mr. HECK of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, during my time here in the House of
Representatives, each Congressional Session I have introduced the World
War II Filipino Veterans Recognition Act in an attempt to restore the
benefits that were promised to these brave soldiers by Franklin Delano
Roosevelt when they were incorporated into the United States Armed
Forces Far East during World War II, but then had those benefits denied
by the Rescission Act of 1946.
These soldiers served side by side with American troops. They served
under American officers. They bled, fought, and died to protect their
homeland on behalf of the United States.
I have had the honor to get to know six of these gentlemen who lived
in southern Nevada: Francisco Cedulla; Romeo Barreras; Silverio
Cuaresma; Augusto Opus; Bataan Death March survivor, Jesse Baltazar;
and Edilberto Briones. Unfortunately, over the last 6 years, five of
them have passed on, never receiving the recognition that they justly
deserve. That is why this bill is so important.
While it does not justly compensate these brave soldiers for the
service that they gave to this country, this bill, S. 1555, and the
companion introduced by my good friend, the gentlewoman from Hawaii
(Ms. Gabbard), and of which I am the lead cosponsor, is in some small
way a recognition of the service rendered by these brave patriots.
{time} 1715
It is for that reason that I rise in strong support and urge all of
my colleagues to vote in support of S. 1555, so that we can finally pay
some level of recognition to those who served side by side with
American soldiers under American command.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Scott), who is the ranking member of the Committee on
Education and the Workforce.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1555, the Filipino
Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015.
Filipino Americans have contributed to American life and culture in
countless ways, and one of the most noble is through military service.
Over 200,000 Filipino soldiers and guerrilla fighters served with the
United States Armed Forces during World War II. Their invaluable
service helped provide the necessary support to defeat the Japanese in
the Pacific.
For over 60 years, Filipino veterans and community advocates have
fought to obtain benefits and recognition that they were promised. In
2009, Congress created the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund,
where eligible veterans who are U.S. citizens could receive a one-time
payment of $15,000; eligible veterans who are not U.S. citizens could
receive a one-time payment of $9,000. While this fund has allowed many
of them to receive some compensation, in Congress we are still working
to make sure these families get all of the benefits they earned, they
deserved and were promised.
Another way that we can recognize these heroes is by awarding them
the Congressional Gold Medal. The Senate unanimously passed the
Filipino World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act in July. Mr.
Speaker, as a cosponsor of the House version of the bill and co-chair
of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I urge my colleagues to
support the legislation so that approximately 18,000 surviving Filipino
veterans of World War II may be recognized for their service to our
Nation. We are forever indebted to these brave soldiers, and it is
important that we appropriately express our gratitude for that service.
Mr. Speaker, I therefore urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Judy Chu), who is a member of the Judiciary Committee
and the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, over 70 years ago, more than
200,000 brave Filipino and Filipino American soldiers answered the call
to fight alongside American servicemembers during World War II. These
soldiers served on the front lines and played a critical role in
ultimately helping the United States to achieve victory in the Pacific.
It is because of their courage that we were able to protect Americans
at home while defending democracy abroad. Many of these veterans are
now in their twilight years, and it is long past time that we honor
them for their sacrifice and service to our Nation.
While we can never fully repay the debt that we owe these veterans,
today we have the opportunity to award them with our Nation's highest
civilian honor by passing the Filipino Veterans of World War II
Congressional Gold Medal Act. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting
to pass this critical legislation to honor our Filipino World War II
veterans with the recognition they have earned.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Honda), who is a member of the Appropriations Committee
and chair emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Foster, and
on the other side, Congressman Huizenga of Michigan, for bringing this
up. It is an issue that has been a long time in coming forward. I thank
Mr. Heck of Nevada, also, for the gentleman's comments regarding the
Filipino veterans' history in World War II.
Prior to this, we talked about the merchant marines. I think that the
merchant marines are a long time past in being recognized for their
bravery and their willingness to forge through the oceans to bring
materiel and artillery to fight fascism in Europe.
Today we stand here in 2016 to ask for support for the bravery,
patriotism, and sacrifice of nearly 250,000 Filipinos and Filipino
Americans to whom our Nation owes much. I ask this Chamber to show its
commitment to those who have bled for our Nation's principles at a time
of great adversity by honoring these brave souls with the Congressional
Gold Medal.
[[Page H7024]]
The Congressional Gold Medal is a symbol of our recognition of their
service, but it does very little to recognize the sacrifice and
patience that they had to endure since World War II, when, as it was
mentioned earlier, this Congress passed two rescission bills in the
Appropriations in 1946 removing the Filipino veterans from veterans'
benefits and the kinds of promises that President Roosevelt and
MacArthur had given to the Filipino veterans.
The story of these proud veterans begins more than 70 years ago when
President Roosevelt did ask Filipino and Filipino American soldiers to
serve under U.S. authority during World War II. Under our flag, we
drafted them and we asked for volunteers. We got both from them.
The people of the Philippines valiantly stepped up to the challenge
and played a vital role in securing a victory for the U.S. and its
Allies in the Pacific theater. Historians have long since concluded
that these valiant efforts by the Filipino and Filipino American
soldiers in Bataan helped keep Midway and the coral islands in
America's hands at a crucial time during World War II.
Over 60,000 Filipino soldiers, alongside 15,000 American brothers in
arms, were captured and forced to walk over 65 miles to the prison
camps, which was called the infamous Bataan March--the infamous Bataan
Death March--to the ships that would take them to Japan, where they
became POWs.
Several thousand Filipinos and Americans died along the way making
the ultimate sacrifice in our mutual struggle against fascism and for
the promise of democracy and self-determination. A lot of these
Filipinos had interceded during the march to the ships, endangering
themselves of being beheaded or losing their arms or their lives
because they were going to offer water as sustenance to our POWs who
were being marched to the ships. We have forgotten that. Hopefully,
today, this Congressional Medal of Honor will help us remember the
kinds of things that they have sacrificed.
Congress shamefully passed the Rescission Act of 1946, as was
mentioned earlier, betraying the promise of full eligibility of rights
to Filipino soldiers turning their backs on these valiant souls. We did
this consciously twice. In February of 2009, we were here in Congress
and at long last passed legislation that included benefits for Filipino
and World War II veterans.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30
seconds.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, this bittersweet victory comes at the end of
a 50-year legislative battle which has seen thousands of veterans lose
their lives due to the passage of time. This year we must send a clear
message to the surviving 18,000 Filipino and Filipino American World
War II veterans that we are honored by their spirit and moved by the
heroism and their patience--the spirit that remained hopeful for many,
many years that the American people, through their Representatives in
this Congress, would do the right thing.
This is the right thing to do. Join me in honoring all of the
Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Hawaii (Ms. Hanabusa), who is a member of the Armed Services Committee.
Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I just returned to the 114th Congress, and
I would like to have everyone remember that when I first came here in
the 112th Congress is when we gave the Congressional Gold Medals to the
Japanese Americans who fought in World War II. I remember how much
pride they all had to receive that Gold Medal. That is why I
introduced, in a subsequent Congress, the first attempt to get the Gold
Medal for the Filipino war veterans.
In 7 days, Mr. Speaker, we will be commemorating, in Hawaii, the
attack on Pearl Harbor--the 75th anniversary. Imagine, 75 years, and we
have still not kept our promise to the Filipino war veterans. Many of
them are in both Congresswoman Gabbard's and my district. I must tell
you, all that they have asked for is a recognition by this country that
we will keep our promises to them.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that it is with such pride that I
stand here to see that, across the aisle, we have been able to have
this piece of legislation hopefully pass and to also know the hard work
of my colleagues, especially Senator Hirono in the Senate and, of
course, Congresswoman Gabbard.
There are two gentlemen that I also want us all to remember, and that
is former Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Senator Daniel K. Akaka. The
reason why is because they both said that the greatest regret they had
was that we could not--they could not--change that act in 1946 and keep
their word to the Filipino veterans that they would have full benefits,
that they could not reunite them with their families as they had all
promised.
But, Mr. Speaker, this act, the act of this Gold Medal, will make
things somewhat right. It will at least say that this great country
recognizes the promises that we have made and this great country will
not forget the sacrifices that they have made for us.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all my colleagues vote in favor of this bill.
Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I urge
my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I, too, urge passage of this
bill by my colleagues and thank the Filipino people for their support
and friendship for the many, many years.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, S. 1555.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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