[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 174 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1585]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1555, the 
``Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 
2015.''
  S. 1555 honors the brave Filipino soldiers who courageously fought 
for freedom in World War II by awarding the highest honor that this 
Congress can bestow.
  More than 260,000 Filipino veterans, 18,000 of who are still alive 
today, who for decades had to fight for benefits and recognition, will 
now receive the recognition they have earned and deserve.
  These Filipino soldiers were instrumental to the United States 
efforts in the Pacific.
  After the invasion of the Philippines by Japanese forces they retired 
to the Bataan Peninsula and continued to fight valiantly.
  Among these brave soldiers is Dominador Soriano, a resident of San 
Antonio, Texas, who fought as a member of both the Philippine and 
United States Armies.
  He was drafted into the Philippine Army in 1938 and then inducted 
into the U.S. Army in the Far East on September 1, 1941.
  Under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur, Soriano commanded 
the Echo Company of the 83rd Infantry Regiment, keeping watch on 
Japanese ships moving through the Tanon Strait.
  During the Japanese invasion he was shot and in July of 1944 was 
captured, beaten and then released, but could barely walk.
  Soriano continued working with the resistance until the surrender of 
the Japanese on August 15, 1945.
  Recently, the city of San Antonio honored Soriano and other Filipino 
veterans with a resolution that recognized their efforts during World 
War II and supported legislation to award these courageous men the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  The resolution is the first of its kind by any city in the United 
States, and I believe that it is time for Congress to follow suit.
  These brave Filipino soldiers answered President Franklin D. 
Roosevelt's call to serve in World War II and they deserve the highest 
award that we can give, for there is no higher duty than putting one's 
life on the line for freedom and country.
  For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1555 the 
``Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 
2015.''

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