For Immediate Release
April 24, 2008		 Contact:  202.225.8351   
     

Rep. Scott Applauds Senate Passage of Bill That Gives Filipino
Veterans of World War II Their Promised Benefits
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Senate passed S. 1315, which includes a provision that gives 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 World War II veterans, but Congress took them away in 1946.  This bill would finally provide some of those benefits that were promised. Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the only Member of Congress of Filipino ancestry, issued the following statement in response to today's vote:

 

“I applaud the Senate for passing this important veterans bill,” said Rep. Scott.  “Our Filipino World War II veterans have waited far too long for the benefits they were promised over sixty years ago.  The inclusion of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act in the Senate version of the Veterans’ Benefit Enhancement Act puts us one step closer to finally fulfilling America’s promise to these veterans.  I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to act swiftly on this important legislation.”

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