Washington, D.C. -  As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and a cosponsor of legislation in the U.S. House to restore veteran's benefits to Filipinos who fought for the U.S. during World War II, I am proud that the Senate recently passed S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007. Filipino veterans were promised the same benefits given to other WWII veterans, but Congress took them away in 1946.  Today, there are only 25,000 Filipino World War II veterans still living, and only 6,000 in the U.S. The provision included in this legislation would undo the injustice committed against these veterans by restoring the benefits they rightly deserve.

I am hopeful that the 110th Congress will finally correct the injustice committed against Filipino World War II veterans so that Filipino veterans can spend their golden years enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices for freedom and liberty instead of clamoring against the very government they fought for in World War II. As a proud cosponsor of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, you can be assured that I will support U.S. House passage of the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 and this important provision.

We are forever grateful to their service and sacrifice and the service and sacrifice of all our nation's veterans.

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