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Washington, DC – Today, the Senate passed S. 1315, which includes a provision that would give veterans' benefits to Filipinos who fought under the U.S. flag during World War II in the Pacific theater. Filipino veterans were promised the same benefits given to other WWII veterans, but Congress took them away in 1946. This bill would restore some of those benefits. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued the following statements in response to today's vote:
“These World War II heroes are in the twilight of their lives and time is running out for Congress to fully recognize the sacrifice they made for our country and under our flag. All our veterans deserve the best treatment, whether they fought in Iraq, Afghanistan or Corregidor. I applaud the Senate for taking a step further to right this wrong by passing this bill, as it is,” said Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair of CAPAC. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to ensure we eliminate the disparities in benefits for Filipino veterans, and restore the honor and dignity they deserve. We’re a country of promise makers and we should also be a country of promise keepers.”
Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), a CAPAC member who has championed the cause of Filipino veterans of World War II for nearly 20 years, said: “Senate approval of the benefits for the surviving Filipino veterans is the first step in removing a more than 60-year-old stain on our national honor. Senate approval was the right action to take, and it fulfills our long-held promise to our Filipino comrades in arms. They are heroes who served under our flag, and they are entitled to the full U.S. veterans’ benefits that the Congress rescinded in 1946. Filipino veterans of World War II should not be forgotten or ignored. Most of all, we, as a nation, should not turn our backs on them. They have sacrificed so much for us.”
“The Filipino veterans of World War II fought bravely under U.S. military command, helping us win the war only to lose their veteran status by an Act of Congress. I commend my colleagues for supporting those veterans who stood with us,” said Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), a CAPAC member and Chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. “I am also very pleased that the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 can finally move forward. This bill makes needed improvements to veterans’ benefits by expanding and increasing support for veterans, their families, and their survivors. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly on this much needed bill.”
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