Washington, D.C. -- "Military veterans came a step closer today to partial payment on the debt owed to them by their country thanks to the tireless efforts of Senator Daniel K. Akaka, who won Senate passage of the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act.  I am particularly pleased that the legislation includes some justice for Filipino Veterans of World War II.

"This bill starts to undo a wrong — a dark stain on American history — against the Filipino Veterans who fought side-by-side U.S. troops against the Japanese Empire nearly 70 years ago.  The Philippine Commonwealth Forces were subsumed into the U.S. forces by order of President Franklin Roosevelt, and between 1941 and 1945, thousands of Filipino soldiers fought and died helping America secure victory.

"They were promised veteran’s benefits for their service, but in the 1946 Recession Act, Congress statutorily reneged, denying Filipino Veterans any of the benefits that their American comrades in arms received.  No other group of veterans has been systematically denied these benefits.

"Today’s passage of the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act is a matter of justice and fairness.  I congratulate Senator Akaka, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to move the bill closer to enactment into law."

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