*EPF308 02/12/2003
Text: Proposed Resolution Hails Contribution of Filipinos in World War II
(Philippine Scouts should have same veteran benefits as U.S. soldiers) (860)

Two California lawmakers -- one a Republican, the other a Democrat -- joined forces to introduce a resolution calling for equal treatment as veterans of Philippine Scouts and other Filipinos who fought alongside U.S. servicemen during World War II.

Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald (Democrat of California) and Representative Darrell Issa (Republican of California) submitted House Resolution 65 (H. Res. 65) to the House of Representatives February 11.

The proposed resolution was referred to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and to the House Armed Services Committee for action.

On the same day, Representative Randy Cunningham (Republican of California) introduced H.R. 67, a bill that would amend title 38 of the United States Code to allow service in such units of the Commonwealth of the Philippines "to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs." That proposed bill was referred to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for action. Cunningham's bill had 25 co-sponsors, including the two sponsors of H. Res. 65.

House Resolution 65 says "the regular Philippine Scouts, new Philippine Scouts, United States Army Forces of the Far East Guerrillas, and members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines deserve recognition for their valiant service during World War II."

The proposed resolution goes on to state that the new Philippine Scouts and Commonwealth Army veterans "deserve to receive the same veterans' benefits to which other members of the United States Armed Forces are entitled under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs."

Following is the text of House Concurrent Resolution 65 from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

HRES 65 IH
108th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. RES. 65

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the military service of Filipinos during World War II and their eligibility for benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 11, 2003

Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD (for herself and Mr. ISSA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the military service of Filipinos during World War II and their eligibility for benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Whereas more than 140,000 Filipino soldiers fought in units of the United States Army during World War II;

Whereas many other Filipinos fought during World War II in units that had no ties or only informal ties to the United States Army;

Whereas the Philippines was a territory of the United States before and during World War II and did not gain its independence until 1946;

Whereas Filipinos who served in Filipino-manned units of the United States Army prior to October 6, 1945, are known as `regular Philippine Scouts' or `old scouts';

Whereas Filipinos who enlisted or reenlisted in Filipino-manned units of the United States Army on or after October 6, 1945, are known as `new Philippine Scouts' or `special Philippine Scouts';

Whereas Filipinos who served during World War II in units that were under the command of a commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces or that were otherwise recognized by, and cooperating with, the United States Armed Forces are known as `United States Army Forces of the Far East Guerrillas' or as members of the `Guerrilla Service';

Whereas many other Filipinos served during World War II as members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines while such forces were in the service of the United States Armed Forces pursuant to the military order of President Franklin Roosevelt dated July 26, 1941;

Whereas Filipinos who served during World War II as members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines or as members of the Guerrilla Service are collectively known as `Commonwealth Army veterans';

Whereas the regular Philippine Scouts, new Philippine Scouts, United States Army Forces of the Far East Guerrillas, and members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines all fought valiantly alongside other members of the United States Armed Forces in the defense and liberation of the Philippines; and

Whereas Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine Scouts are eligible for only certain veterans' benefits, which are generally payable at half the rate payable to other veterans under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--

(1) the regular Philippine Scouts, new Philippine Scouts, United States Army Forces of the Far East Guerrillas, and members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines deserve recognition for their valiant service during World War II; and

(2) new Philippine Scouts and Commonwealth Army veterans deserve to receive the same veterans' benefits to which other members of the United States Armed Forces are entitled under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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