Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008

Floor Speech

FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2008)

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Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, today I rise to speak in support of H.R. 6897, the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008.''

Recently Congress honored the 67th anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt's military order conscripting the Philippine military forces into the service of the United States Armed Forces. On July 26, 1941, President Roosevelt said, ``In this great struggle of the Pacific the loyal Americans of the Philippine Island are called upon to play a crucial role ..... I count on every Philippine man, woman, and child to do his duty. We will do ours.''

H.R. 6897 recognizes the service of these veterans to our Nation and commitment of President Roosevelt.

In World War II, approximately 200,000 Filipinos served under the command of General MacArthur in the Far East, in guerrilla units, and the Philippine Scouts. Their service to our country was a critical component to the allied success in the Pacific.

Approximately 13,000 survivors of the total estimated 200,000 Filipino World War II veterans now reside in the United States and in the Philippines, many of which are not receiving benefits they earned as servicemen for the U.S. military.

Since coming to Congress and as co-chairman of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus I have urged my House colleagues to support legislation providing equity to World War II Filipino veterans.

While not perfect, H.R. 6897 would make payments to those that have yet to receive recognition for their service to the United States.

With each passing year, there are fewer surviving Filipino veterans. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6897 to give these veterans their long overdue recognition.

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