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Washington, DC – Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) applauded a vote by the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee to approve H.R. 760, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, sponsored by Committee Chairman Bob Filner. Congressman Mike Honda, Chair of CAPAC, is an original cosponsor and vocal advocate of the bill.
The legislation moves Congress closer to fulfilling a broken promise of full veterans’ benefits that the U.S. made to approximately 250,000 Filipino soldiers who fought under the American flag during World War II. Of the troops from 66 countries recognized for their military service under U.S. command, the Filipino soldiers are the only group yet to be fully recognized. Today, approximately 18,000 Filipino World War II veterans are still alive.
Rep. Bob Filner (CA-51): "I will continue to fight to restore the benefits that the brave Filipino veterans of World War II were promised," said Rep. Filner, Chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "Filipino veterans were drafted into service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served bravely and honorably during some of the democracy's darkest hours. After the war, many Filipino veterans were deprived of benefits and veterans' status by the Congress of 1946. It is my honor to help lead Congress towards granting these benefits, and I will not rest until full equity is reached!"
Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15): "Today’s vote to move the Filipino Veterans Equity Act out of the Veterans’ Affairs committee is an important step toward keeping our promise and honoring the contributions of the Filipino veterans to our nation," said Rep. Honda, Chair of CAPAC. "I thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Bob Filner, and the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity for their commitment and continued leadership on this top CAPAC priority. I look forward to continuing my work with the Speaker and the Chairman to fund full equity for the Filipino veterans."
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