[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 197 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1669-E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF FILIPINO VETERANS AND THEIR SERVICE DURING WORLD WAR 
                                   II

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2018

  Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Filipino 
veterans for their courageousness and selflessness in defense of our

[[Page E1670]]

nation and the Philippines during World War II. As the members of the 
Sacramento Filipino World War II Veterans Group and the Filipino 
Veterans Recognition and Education Project gather today, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring our veterans for their heroism, duty, 
sacrifice, and service to the United States of America.
  In 1941, President Roosevelt's call-to-action elicited the enlistment 
of more than 250,000 Filipino soldiers. Our nation's troops fought 
tirelessly and fearlessly in World War II, and many of the brave 
included Filipino soldiers who fought alongside American soldiers under 
the U.S. Army Forces. Throughout the duration of the war, more than 
57,000 were killed in combat, thousands suffered from severe wounds, 
and over 78,000 were missing in action. By the end of World War II, 
Filipino veterans were left with our country's promise of full 
veterans' benefits. However, that promise was rescinded, and Filipino 
veterans were left without the honor deserved.
  On November 30, 2016, the United States Congress passed the Filipino 
Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, 
restoring Filipino veterans to the status of U.S. military veteran. 
Subsequently, on December 14, 2016, President Barack Obama signed this 
Act into law. This momentous occasion delivered the overdue recognition 
for the selfless service of Filipino veterans during World War II.
  Mr. Speaker, as the members of the Sacramento Filipino World War II 
Veterans Group and The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education 
Project celebrate the service of the World War II veterans, I ask all 
my colleagues to join me in honoring them for their heroism in 
protecting our great nation.

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