Filipino WW2 U.S. Veterans Fight 4 Equity

H.R. 6897

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Sponsor:
Text:
Summary | Full Text
Status:
Occurred: Introduced Sep 15, 2008
Occurred: Passed House Sep 23, 2008
Not Yet Occurred: Voted on in Senate (did not occur)
Not Yet Occurred: Signed by President (did not occur)
This bill never became law. This bill was proposed in a previous session of Congress. Sessions of Congress last two years, and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven't passed are cleared from the books. Members often reintroduce bills that did not come up for debate under a new number in the next session.

Notes by Maria Elizabeth Embry
H.R. 6897 is similar to H.R. 1 except in the following:
 
H.R. 6897 Sec. 3f Re: non-residents & SS...
 
H.R. 1 Sec 1002 c2 Re: payment to surviving spouse...
            Sec 1002 d2 Re: honorable discharge....
            Sec 1002 g   Re: IRS, SS & other benefits....
            Sec 1002 h   Re: release of claims
            Sec 1002 i    Re: recognition of service
 
 

110th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 6897

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain payments to eligible persons who served in the Philippines during World War II.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 15, 2008

Mr. FILNER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs


A BILL

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make certain payments to eligible persons who served in the Philippines during World War II.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the `Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:

      (1) The Philippine islands became a United States possession in 1898 when they were ceded from Spain following the Spanish-American War.

      (2) During World War II, Filipinos served in a variety of units, some of which came under the direct control of the United States Armed Forces.

      (3) The regular Philippine Scouts, the new Philippine Scouts, the Guerilla Services, and more than 100,000 members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were called into the service of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East on July 26, 1941, by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

      (4) Even after hostilities had ceased, wartime service of the new Philippine Scouts continued as a matter of law until the end of 1946, and the force gradually disbanded and was disestablished in 1950.

      (5) Filipino veterans who were granted benefits prior to the enactment of the so-called Rescissions Acts of 1946 (Public Laws 79-301 and 79-391) currently receive full benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, but under section 107 of title 38, United States Code, the service of certain other Filipino veterans is deemed not to be active service for purposes of such laws.

      (6) These other Filipino veterans only receive certain benefits under title 38, United States Code, and, depending on where they legally reside, are paid such benefit amounts at reduced rates.

      (7) The benefits such veterans receive include service-connected compensation benefits paid under chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, dependency indemnity compensation survivor benefits paid under chapter 13 of title 38, United States Code, and burial benefits under chapters 23 and 24 of title 38, United States Code, and such benefits are paid to beneficiaries at the rate of $0.50 per dollar authorized, unless they lawfully reside in the United States.

      (8) Dependents' educational assistance under chapter 35 of title 38, United States Code, is also payable for the dependents of such veterans at the rate of $0.50 per dollar authorized, regardless of the veterans' residency.

SEC. 3. PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO SERVED IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING WORLD WAR II.

    (a) Compensation Fund-

      (1) IN GENERAL- There is in the general fund of the Treasury a fund to be known as the `Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund' (in this section referred to as the `compensation fund').

      (2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, amounts in the fund shall be available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs without fiscal year limitation to make payments to eligible persons in accordance with this section.

    (b) Payments- During the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall make a payment to an eligible person who, during such period, submits to the Secretary an application containing such information and assurances as the Secretary may require.

    (c) Eligible Persons- An eligible person is any person who served--

      (1) before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while such forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States pursuant to the military order of the President dated July 26, 1941, including among such military forces organized guerrilla forces under commanders appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or other competent authority in the Army of the United States; or

      (2) in the Philippine Scouts under section 14 of the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 1945 (59 Stat. 538).

    (d) Payment Amounts- Each payment under this section shall be--

      (1) in the case of an eligible person who is not a citizen of the United States, in the amount of $9,000; and

      (2) in the case of an eligible person who is a citizen of the United States, in the amount of $15,000.

    (e) Limitation- The Secretary may not make more than one payment under this section for each person described in subsection (f).

    (f) Eligibility of Individuals Living Outside the United States Entitled to Certain Social Security Benefits- Receipt of a payment under this section shall not affect the eligibility of an individual residing outside the United States to receive benefits under title VIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) or the amount of such benefits.

    (g) Reports- The Secretary shall include, in documents submitted to Congress by the Secretary in support of the President's budget for each fiscal year in which payments are made from the compensation fund under this section, detailed information on the operation of the compensation fund, including the number of applicants, the number of eligible persons receiving benefits, the amounts paid out of the compensation fund, and the administration of the compensation fund.

    (h) Regulations- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.

    (i) Authorization of Appropriation- There is authorized to be appropriated to the compensation fund $198,000,000, to remain available until expended, to make payments under this section.

Sponsor: Rep. Bob Filner D-CA

Cosponsors [as of 2008-09-28]

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher R-CA

House Vote On Passage: H.R. 6897: Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008

Vote Number:

House Vote #624 in 2008]

Date:

Sep 23, 2008 2:05PM

Result:

Passed

Vote  Democrats       Yes-220    No-1       Did not vote-13

          Republicans     Yes-172   No-22      Did not vote-5

 

Aye HI-1 Abercrombie, Neil [D]

Aye NY-5 Ackerman, Gary [D]

Aye AL-4 Aderholt, Robert [R]

Nay MO-2 Akin, W. [R]

Aye LA-5 Alexander, Rodney [R]

Aye ME-1 Allen, Thomas [D]

Aye PA-4 Altmire, Jason [D]

Aye NJ-1 Andrews, Robert [D]

Aye NY-24 Arcuri, Michael [D]

Aye CA-43 Baca, Joe [D]

Aye MN-6 Bachmann, Michele [R]

Aye AL-6 Bachus, Spencer [R]

Aye WA-3 Baird, Brian [D]

Aye WI-2 Baldwin, Tammy [D]

Aye SC-3 Barrett, James [R]

Aye GA-12 Barrow, John [D]

Aye MD-6 Bartlett, Roscoe [R]

Aye TX-6 Barton, Joe [R]

Aye IL-8 Bean, Melissa [D]

Aye CA-31 Becerra, Xavier [D]

Aye NV-1 Berkley, Shelley [D]

Aye CA-28 Berman, Howard [D]

Aye AR-1 Berry, Robert [D]

Aye IL-13 Biggert, Judy [R]

Aye CA-50 Bilbray, Brian [R]

Aye FL-9 Bilirakis, Gus [R]

Aye UT-1 Bishop, Rob [R]

Aye GA-2 Bishop, Sanford [D]

Aye NY-1 Bishop, Timothy [D]

Aye TN-7 Blackburn, Marsha [R]

Aye OR-3 Blumenauer, Earl [D]

Aye MO-7 Blunt, Roy [R]

Aye OH-8 Boehner, John [R]

Aye AL-1 Bonner, Jo [R]

Aye CA-45 Bono Mack, Mary [R]

Aye AR-3 Boozman, John [R]

Aye OK-2 Boren, Dan [D]

Aye IA-3 Boswell, Leonard [D]

Aye VA-9 Boucher, Frederick [D]

Aye LA-7 Boustany, Charles [R]

Aye FL-2 Boyd, F. [D]

Aye KS-2 Boyda, Nancy [D]

Aye TX-8 Brady, Kevin [R]

Aye PA-1 Brady, Robert [D]

No Vote IA-1 Braley, Bruce [D]

Nay GA-10 Broun, Paul [R]

Aye FL-3 Brown, Corrine [D]

Aye SC-1 Brown, Henry [R]

Aye FL-5 Brown-Waite, Virginia [R]

Aye FL-13 Buchanan, Vern [R]

Aye TX-26 Burgess, Michael [R]

Aye IN-5 Burton, Dan [R]

Aye NC-1 Butterfield, George [D]

Nay IN-4 Buyer, Stephen [R]

Aye CA-44 Calvert, Ken [R]

Aye MI-4 Camp, David [R]

Nay CA-48 Campbell, John [R]

Aye UT-3 Cannon, Christopher [R]

Aye VA-7 Cantor, Eric [R]

Aye WV-2 Capito, Shelley [R]

Aye CA-23 Capps, Lois [D]

Aye MA-8 Capuano, Michael [D]

Aye CA-18 Cardoza, Dennis [D]

Aye MO-3 Carnahan, Russ [D]

Aye PA-10 Carney, Christopher [D]

Aye IN-7 Carson, André [D]

Aye TX-31 Carter, John [R]

Aye DE-0 Castle, Michael [R]

Aye FL-11 Castor, Kathy [D]

Aye LA-6 Cazayoux, Donald [D]

Aye OH-1 Chabot, Steven [R]

Aye KY-6 Chandler, Ben [D]

Aye MS-1 Childers, Travis [D]

Aye NY-11 Clarke, Yvette [D]

Aye MO-1 Clay, William [D]

Aye MO-5 Cleaver, Emanuel [D]

Aye SC-6 Clyburn, James [D]

Nay NC-6 Coble, Howard [R]

Aye TN-9 Cohen, Steve [D]

Aye OK-4 Cole, Tom [R]

Aye TX-11 Conaway, K. [R]

Aye MI-14 Conyers, John [D]

No Vote TN-5 Cooper, Jim [D]

Aye CA-20 Costa, Jim [D]

Aye IL-12 Costello, Jerry [D]

Aye CT-2 Courtney, Joe [D]

Aye AL-5 Cramer, Robert [D]

Aye FL-4 Crenshaw, Ander [R]

Aye NY-7 Crowley, Joseph [D]

No Vote WY-0 Cubin, Barbara [R]

Aye TX-28 Cuellar, Henry [D]

Aye TX-7 Culberson, John [R]

No Vote MD-7 Cummings, Elijah [D]

Aye AL-7 Davis, Artur [D]

Aye IL-7 Davis, Danny [D]

Nay TN-1 Davis, David [R]

Aye KY-4 Davis, Geoff [R]

No Vote TN-4 Davis, Lincoln [D]

Aye CA-53 Davis, Susan [D]

Aye VA-11 Davis, Thomas [R]

Nay GA-9 Deal, Nathan [R]

Aye OR-4 DeFazio, Peter [D]

Aye CO-1 DeGette, Diana [D]

Aye MA-10 Delahunt, William [D]

Aye CT-3 DeLauro, Rosa [D]

Aye PA-15 Dent, Charles [R]

Aye FL-21 Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [R]

Aye FL-25 Diaz-Balart, Mario [R]

Aye WA-6 Dicks, Norman [D]

No Vote MI-15 Dingell, John [D]

No Vote TX-25 Doggett, Lloyd [D]

Aye IN-2 Donnelly, Joe [D]

Aye CA-4 Doolittle, John [R]

Aye PA-14 Doyle, Michael [D]

Aye VA-2 Drake, Thelma [R]

Aye CA-26 Dreier, David [R]

Nay TN-2 Duncan, John [R]

Aye MD-4 Edwards, Donna [D]

Aye TX-17 Edwards, Thomas [D]

Aye MI-3 Ehlers, Vernon [R]

Aye MN-5 Ellison, Keith [D]

Aye IN-8 Ellsworth, Brad [D]

Aye IL-5 Emanuel, Rahm [D]

Aye MO-8 Emerson, Jo Ann [R]

Aye NY-17 Engel, Eliot [D]

Aye PA-3 English, Philip [R]

Aye CA-14 Eshoo, Anna [D]

Aye NC-2 Etheridge, Bob [D]

Nay AL-2 Everett, Terry [R]

Aye OK-5 Fallin, Mary [R]

Aye CA-17 Farr, Sam [D]

Aye PA-2 Fattah, Chaka [D]

Aye FL-24 Feeney, Tom [R]

Aye NJ-7 Ferguson, Michael [R]

Aye CA-51 Filner, Bob [D]

Nay AZ-6 Flake, Jeff [R]

Aye VA-4 Forbes, James [R]

Aye NE-1 Fortenberry, Jeffrey [R]

Aye NY-13 Fossella, Vito [R]

Aye IL-14 Foster, Bill [D]

Nay NC-5 Foxx, Virginia [R]

Aye MA-4 Frank, Barney [D]

Aye AZ-2 Franks, Trent [R]

Aye NJ-11 Frelinghuysen, Rodney [R]

Aye CA-24 Gallegly, Elton [R]

Aye NJ-5 Garrett, E. [R]

Aye PA-6 Gerlach, Jim [R]

Aye AZ-8 Giffords, Gabrielle [D]

Aye MD-1 Gilchrest, Wayne [R]

Aye NY-20 Gillibrand, Kirsten [D]

Nay GA-11 Gingrey, John [R]

Aye TX-1 Gohmert, Louis [R]

No Vote TX-20 Gonzalez, Charles [D]

Nay VA-5 Goode, Virgil [R]

Nay VA-6 Goodlatte, Robert [R]

No Vote TN-6 Gordon, Barton [D]

Aye TX-12 Granger, Kay [R]

Aye MO-6 Graves, Samuel [R]

Aye TX-9 Green, Al [D]

Aye TX-29 Green, Raymond [D]

Aye AZ-7 Grijalva, Raul [D]

Aye IL-4 Gutierrez, Luis [D]

Aye NY-19 Hall, John [D]

Aye TX-4 Hall, Ralph [R]

Aye IL-17 Hare, Phil [D]

Aye CA-36 Harman, Jane [D]

Aye FL-23 Hastings, Alcee [D]

Aye WA-4 Hastings, Doc [R]

Aye NC-8 Hayes, Robin [R]

Aye NV-2 Heller, Dean [R]

Aye TX-5 Hensarling, Jeb [R]

Aye CA-2 Herger, Walter [R]

Aye SD-0 Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [D]

Aye NY-27 Higgins, Brian [D]

Aye IN-9 Hill, Baron [D]

Aye NY-22 Hinchey, Maurice [D]

Aye TX-15 Hinojosa, Rubén [D]

Aye HI-2 Hirono, Mazie [D]

Aye OH-7 Hobson, David [R]

Aye NH-2 Hodes, Paul [D]

Aye MI-2 Hoekstra, Peter [R]

Aye PA-17 Holden, Tim [D]

Aye NJ-12 Holt, Rush [D]

Aye CA-15 Honda, Michael [D]

Aye OR-5 Hooley, Darlene [D]

Aye MD-5 Hoyer, Steny [D]

No Vote MO-9 Hulshof, Kenny [R]

Aye CA-52 Hunter, Duncan [R]

Aye SC-4 Inglis, Bob [R]

Aye WA-1 Inslee, Jay [D]

Aye NY-2 Israel, Steve [D]

Aye CA-49 Issa, Darrell [R]

Aye IL-2 Jackson, Jesse [D]

Aye TX-18 Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D]

Aye LA-2 Jefferson, William [D]

Aye TX-30 Johnson, Eddie [D]

Aye GA-4 Johnson, Henry [D]

Aye TX-3 Johnson, Samuel [R]

Aye IL-15 Johnson, Timothy [R]

Aye NC-3 Jones, Walter [R]

Aye OH-4 Jordan, Jim [R]

Aye WI-8 Kagen, Steve [D]

Aye PA-11 Kanjorski, Paul [D]

Aye OH-9 Kaptur, Marcy [D]

Aye FL-8 Keller, Ric [R]

Aye RI-1 Kennedy, Patrick [D]

Aye MI-5 Kildee, Dale [D]

Aye MI-13 Kilpatrick, Carolyn [D]

Aye WI-3 Kind, Ronald [D]

Aye NY-3 King, Peter [R]

Aye IA-5 King, Steve [R]

Nay GA-1 Kingston, Jack [R]

Aye IL-10 Kirk, Mark [R]

Aye FL-22 Klein, Ron [D]

Aye MN-2 Kline, John [R]

Aye MI-9 Knollenberg, Joseph [R]

Aye OH-10 Kucinich, Dennis [D]

Aye NY-29 Kuhl, John [R]

Aye IL-18 LaHood, Ray [R]

Nay CO-5 Lamborn, Doug [R]

Aye TX-22 Lampson, Nicholas [D]

Aye RI-2 Langevin, James [D]

Aye WA-2 Larsen, Rick [D]

Aye CT-1 Larson, John [D]

Aye IA-4 Latham, Thomas [R]

Aye OH-14 LaTourette, Steven [R]

Aye OH-5 Latta, Robert [R]

Aye CA-9 Lee, Barbara [D]

Aye MI-12 Levin, Sander [D]

Aye CA-41 Lewis, Jerry [R]

Aye GA-5 Lewis, John [D]

Aye KY-2 Lewis, Ron [R]

Aye GA-7 Linder, John [R]

Aye IL-3 Lipinski, Daniel [D]

Aye NJ-2 LoBiondo, Frank [R]

Aye IA-2 Loebsack, David [D]

Aye CA-16 Lofgren, Zoe [D]

Aye NY-18 Lowey, Nita [D]

Aye OK-3 Lucas, Frank [R]

Aye CA-3 Lungren, Daniel [R]

Aye MA-9 Lynch, Stephen [D]

Aye FL-14 Mack, Connie [R]

Aye FL-16 Mahoney, Tim [D]

Aye NY-14 Maloney, Carolyn [D]

Aye IL-16 Manzullo, Donald [R]

Aye TX-24 Marchant, Kenny [R]

Aye MA-7 Markey, Edward [D]

Aye GA-8 Marshall, James [D]

Aye UT-2 Matheson, Jim [D]

Aye CA-5 Matsui, Doris [D]

Aye NY-4 McCarthy, Carolyn [D]

Aye CA-22 McCarthy, Kevin [R]

Aye TX-10 McCaul, Michael [R]

Aye MN-4 McCollum, Betty [D]

Aye MI-11 McCotter, Thaddeus [R]

Aye LA-4 McCrery, James [R]

Aye WA-7 McDermott, James [D]

Aye MA-3 McGovern, James [D]

Aye NC-10 Mchenry, Patrick [R]

Aye NY-23 McHugh, John [R]

Aye NC-7 McIntyre, Mike [D]

Aye CA-25 McKeon, Howard [R]

Aye WA-5 McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R]

Aye CA-11 McNerney, Jerry [D]

Aye NY-21 McNulty, Michael [D]

Aye FL-17 Meek, Kendrick [D]

Aye NY-6 Meeks, Gregory [D]

Aye LA-3 Melancon, Charles [D]

Nay FL-7 Mica, John [R]

Aye ME-2 Michaud, Michael [D]

Aye MI-10 Miller, Candice [R]

Aye CA-42 Miller, Gary [R]

Aye CA-7 Miller, George [D]

Aye FL-1 Miller, Jeff [R]

Aye NC-13 Miller, R. [D]

Aye AZ-5 Mitchell, Harry [D]

Aye WV-1 Mollohan, Alan [D]

Aye KS-3 Moore, Dennis [D]

Aye WI-4 Moore, Gwen [D]

Aye VA-8 Moran, James [D]

Aye KS-1 Moran, Jerry [R]

Aye CT-5 Murphy, Christopher [D]

Aye PA-8 Murphy, Patrick [D]

Aye PA-18 Murphy, Tim [R]

Aye PA-12 Murtha, John [D]

Aye CO-4 Musgrave, Marilyn [R]

Aye NC-9 Myrick, Sue [R]

Aye NY-8 Nadler, Jerrold [D]

Aye CA-38 Napolitano, Grace [D]

Aye MA-2 Neal, Richard [D]

No Vote TX-19 Neugebauer, Randy [R]

Aye CA-21 Nunes, Devin [R]

Aye MN-8 Oberstar, James [D]

No Vote WI-7 Obey, David [D]

Aye MA-1 Olver, John [D]

Aye TX-27 Ortiz, Solomon [D]

Aye NJ-6 Pallone, Frank [D]

Aye NJ-8 Pascrell, William [D]

Aye AZ-4 Pastor, Edward [D]

Aye TX-14 Paul, Ronald [R]

Aye NJ-10 Payne, Donald [D]

Aye NM-2 Pearce, Steven [R]

Aye IN-6 Pence, Mike [R]

Aye CO-7 Perlmutter, Ed [D]

Aye MN-7 Peterson, Collin [D]

Aye PA-5 Peterson, John [R]

Aye WI-6 Petri, Thomas [R]

Aye MS-3 Pickering, Charles [R]

Aye PA-16 Pitts, Joseph [R]

Aye PA-19 Platts, Todd [R]

Aye TX-2 Poe, Ted [R]

Aye ND-0 Pomeroy, Earl [D]

Aye NV-3 Porter, Jon [R]

Aye NC-4 Price, David [D]

Nay GA-6 Price, Tom [R]

No Vote OH-15 Pryce, Deborah [R]

Aye FL-12 Putnam, Adam [R]

No Vote CA-19 Radanovich, George [R]

Aye WV-3 Rahall, Nick [D]

Aye MN-3 Ramstad, James [R]

Aye NY-15 Rangel, Charles [D]

Aye OH-16 Regula, Ralph [R]

Aye MT-0 Rehberg, Dennis [R]

Aye WA-8 Reichert, Dave [R]

Aye AZ-1 Renzi, Rick [R]

No Vote TX-16 Reyes, Silvestre [D]

Aye NY-26 Reynolds, Thomas [R]

Aye CA-37 Richardson, Laura [D]

Aye TX-23 Rodriguez, Ciro [D]

Aye KY-5 Rogers, Harold [R]

Aye AL-3 Rogers, Michael [R]

Aye MI-8 Rogers, Michael [R]

Aye CA-46 Rohrabacher, Dana [R]

Aye IL-6 Roskam, Peter [R]

Aye FL-18 Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R]

Aye AR-4 Ross, Mike [D]

Aye NJ-9 Rothman, Steven [D]

Aye CA-34 Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D]

Aye CA-40 Royce, Edward [R]

Aye MD-2 Ruppersberger, C.A. [D]

No Vote IL-1 Rush, Bobby [D]

Aye WI-1 Ryan, Paul [R]

Aye OH-17 Ryan, Timothy [D]

Aye CO-3 Salazar, John [D]

Aye ID-1 Sali, Bill [R]

Aye CA-39 Sanchez, Linda [D]

Aye CA-47 Sanchez, Loretta [D]

Aye MD-3 Sarbanes, John [D]

Aye NJ-3 Saxton, H. [R]

Nay LA-1 Scalise, Steve [R]

Aye IL-9 Schakowsky, Janice [D]

Aye CA-29 Schiff, Adam [D]

Aye OH-2 Schmidt, Jean [R]

Aye PA-13 Schwartz, Allyson [D]

Aye GA-13 Scott, David [D]

Aye VA-3 Scott, Robert [D]

Aye WI-5 Sensenbrenner, F. [R]

Aye NY-16 Serrano, José [D]

Aye TX-32 Sessions, Peter [R]

Aye PA-7 Sestak, Joe [D]

Aye AZ-3 Shadegg, John [R]

Aye CT-4 Shays, Christopher [R]

Aye NH-1 Shea-Porter, Carol [D]

Aye CA-27 Sherman, Brad [D]

Aye IL-19 Shimkus, John [R]

Aye NC-11 Shuler, Heath [D]

Aye PA-9 Shuster, William [R]

Aye ID-2 Simpson, Michael [R]

Aye NJ-13 Sires, Albio [D]

Aye MO-4 Skelton, Ike [D]

Aye NY-28 Slaughter, Louise [D]

Aye WA-9 Smith, Adam [D]

Aye NE-3 Smith, Adrian [R]

Aye NJ-4 Smith, Christopher [R]

Aye TX-21 Smith, Lamar [R]

Aye AR-2 Snyder, Victor [D]

Aye CA-32 Solis, Hilda [D]

Aye IN-3 Souder, Mark [R]

Aye OH-18 Space, Zachary [D]

Aye CA-12 Speier, Jackie [D]

Aye SC-5 Spratt, John [D]

No Vote CA-13 Stark, Fortney [D]

Nay FL-6 Stearns, Clifford [R]

Aye MI-1 Stupak, Bart [D]

Aye OK-1 Sullivan, John [R]

Aye OH-13 Sutton, Betty [D]

Aye CO-6 Tancredo, Thomas [R]

Aye TN-8 Tanner, John [D]

Aye CA-10 Tauscher, Ellen [D]

Nay MS-4 Taylor, Gene [D]

Aye NE-2 Terry, Lee [R]

Aye MS-2 Thompson, Bennie [D]

Aye CA-1 Thompson, C. [D]

Aye TX-13 Thornberry, William [R]

Aye KS-4 Tiahrt, Todd [R]

Aye OH-12 Tiberi, Patrick [R]

Aye MA-6 Tierney, John [D]

Aye NY-10 Towns, Edolphus [D]

Aye MA-5 Tsongas, Niki [D]

Aye OH-3 Turner, Michael [R]

Aye CO-2 Udall, Mark [D]

Aye NM-3 Udall, Tom [D]

Aye MI-6 Upton, Frederick [R]

Aye MD-8 Van Hollen, Christopher [D]

No Vote NY-12 Velazquez, Nydia [D]

Aye IN-1 Visclosky, Peter [D]

Aye MI-7 Walberg, Timothy [R]

Aye OR-2 Walden, Greg [R]

Aye NY-25 Walsh, James [R]

Aye MN-1 Walz, Timothy [D]

Aye TN-3 Wamp, Zach [R]

Aye FL-20 Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D]

Aye CA-35 Waters, Maxine [D]

Aye CA-33 Watson, Diane [D]

Aye NC-12 Watt, Melvin [D]

Aye CA-30 Waxman, Henry [D]

Aye NY-9 Weiner, Anthony [D]

Aye VT-0 Welch, Peter [D]

Nay FL-15 Weldon, David [R]

Aye IL-11 Weller, Gerald [R]

Nay GA-3 Westmoreland, Lynn [R]

Aye FL-19 Wexler, Robert [D]

Aye KY-1 Whitfield, Edward [R]

Aye SC-2 Wilson, Addison [R]

Aye OH-6 Wilson, Charles [D]

Aye NM-1 Wilson, Heather [R]

Aye VA-1 Wittman, Rob [R]

Aye VA-10 Wolf, Frank [R]

Aye CA-6 Woolsey, Lynn [D]

Aye OR-1 Wu, David [D]

Aye KY-3 Yarmuth, John [D]

Aye FL-10 Young, C. W. [R]

Aye AK-0 Young, Donald [R]

 

 

9/24/2008 excerpt:

AKAKA SEEKS NEGOTIATIONS ON OMNIBUS VETERANS’ LEGISLATION

Republican Senator obstructs motion to conference on S. 1315, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C.Following Senate and House passage of different versions of S. 1315, a comprehensive veterans’ benefits bill, U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, sought a conference between representatives from the two chambers to negotiate a final version of this important legislation.  Akaka’s effort to start negotiations on the bill was obstructed by an objection to his motion to go to conference. 

“I was disappointed but not surprised by the latest effort to obstruct progress on the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007.  Both the House and Senate have passed separate versions of this comprehensive veterans’ benefits bill, and my motion today would have allowed members of the House and Senate to meet and come to an agreement.  Unfortunately, at least one of my colleagues objected to even negotiating this important bill,” said Akaka.   

As passed by the Senate, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007 was a comprehensive, budget-neutral veterans’ benefits bill.  Among other provisions, it would provide a veterans’ pension to Filipino veterans of World War II who served under U.S. military command.  Some Filipino veterans who served under U.S. military command have been denied veterans’ benefits for over 60-years. 

After passing the Senate, S. 1315 was amended in the House to remove many ... provisions from the bill, including the benefits for Filipino veterans who served under U.S. military command in World War II.

S. 1315 was originally introduced on May 7, 2007, and passed the Senate by a vote of 96-1 on April 24, 2008.  The House passed an amended version of S. 1315 earlier this week.   Because the two chambers passed different versions of the bill, Akaka sought a conference between representatives from the House and Senate to negotiate a final version of the bill.

The House-passed version of S. 1315 remains pending before the Senate. 

 

9/22/2008 Floor Speeches

Rep Filner

When these men were called up to service by President Roosevelt, they were still considered Americans who were under territorial rule

Philippine Army veterans fought as American nationals under the American flag and under the direction of our military leaders….I am surprised to hear from my friend, Mr. Stearns, that he wants to play off one veteran against another and say there are higher priorities. That is what he and his ranking member objected to in our pay-for in S. 1315…this is not my first choice. This is a second choice brought about by the actions of those who opposed it and would not allow it to pass

 

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher [R-CA]: Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6897 For many years I have met with individuals of the Filipino community who have longed for acknowledgement of the sacrifices they made not only for their own land, but also ours. While these veterans were once eligible for benefits under programs administered by the Veterans' Administration, these benefits were stripped by the passage of the Rescission Acts of 1946. Since then, some of these benefits have been reinstituted, but not to the extent deserved… They were not just allies during the war who fought alongside our soldiers; they were our soldiers. My father, a late World War II Veteran, encountered combat in the Philippines and served with the Filipino veterans, whom he considered comrades in every sense of the word.Most of the Filipino Veterans have already passed away with no adequate compensation or recognition for their service to this country, yet that should not keep us from acting today to ensure that those still left are acknowledged. I… ask my colleagues to give it their support.

Rep. Darrell Issa [R-CA]:, I rise …in support of H.R. 6897 Approximately 13,000 survivors of the total estimated 200,000 Filipino World War II veterans now reside in the United States and in the Philippines, many of which are not receiving benefits they earned as servicemen for the U.S. military. While not perfect, H.R. 6897 would make payments to those that have yet to receive recognition for their service to the United States.

With each passing year, there are fewer surviving Filipino veterans. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 6897 to give these veterans their long overdue recognition

Rep. Clifford Stearns [R-FL]  (in opposing):…This bill is significantly different from the legislation …H.R. 760… and it also differs from the original language of the Senate-passed version of S. 1315. Both bills utilize funding from overturning the court decision in Hartness v. Nicholson to, among other things, pay pension benefits to Filipino veterans of World War II. At least in that case they did attempt to find some money…That is not true in this bill today. It has taken out discretionary spending left to the appropriators, and the appropriators don't know where they are going to get the money either…. Buyer had staff contact the various veterans organizations regarding the use of these funds. The American Legion, AMVETS, and NAUS, strongly opposed using the Hartness funds to provide for the Filipino veterans. That was then, that was back then…the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military Officers Association of America and the Gold Star Wives of America, believe that there are many higher priorities than additional benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II….We should be looking for ways to better assist our Nation's veterans, obviously, and I know you and everybody in this chamber agrees with that, to help returning warriors, instead of settling these questionable claims….I conclude by saying while Filipinos of U.S. citizenship living in the United States will receive $15,000, we are giving $9,000 to Filipino veterans who are not citizens of the United States. …is this the timing that you want in the middle of a possible financial meltdown in America? That you want to give funds, taxpayer funds, to people in the Philippines who are not U.S. citizens? I just wonder whether the timing is appropriate here in Congress.

 

 

Rep. Laura Richardson [D-CA]: Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6897…and urge my colleagues to join last year's 116 cosponsors who felt strongly about the need for us to finally move forward and to act in a moral way. Being an American is more than standing up on Memorial Day and saluting the flag. Being American is also one who is willing to take the responsibility for those who have enabled us to have that freedom... Mr. Stearns, we are not just talking about people in the Philippines. We are talking about people who live in Carson, California, residents of mine, people who do not have health care benefits, people who do not have adequate pay for the work that they do. If we can spend billions of dollars, as will be coming before this House, $700 billion to assist corporations of people who made millions of dollars, surely we can issue a check for work that has been done. All the more reason why they need the money today, because these are real people. These are not corporations. These are not presidents. These are people who are surviving on paychecks of $500 and $600 a month

Del. Madeleine Bordallo [D-GU]: I rise today in support of H.R. 6897…the duty of this Congress …to correct the injustice placed upon them so I urge us to vote "yes" on H.R. 6897 and to continue to work for full justice and equity for our Filipino veterans.

 
 
In Their Own Words

Rep. Neil Abercrombie  9/23/2008 "Today, the House passed The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2008, HR 6897…Rep. Bob Filner introduced HR 6897 as a stopgap measure because the expansion of benefits included in Senator Akaka’s SB 1315 was removed in the House.  I intend to work closely with Sen. Akaka to try to restore the full benefits package for Filipino Vets in his bill when it goes back to the Senate for a final vote.  And, I’ll continue doing everything I can to see that the United States Government lives up to its obligations to a gallant group of soldiers who answered the call."

Response to your letter & Congratulations on your Re-election

 

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 9:38 PM From: "m e" pinay_492001@yahoo.com

To: info@bobfilnerforcongress.com

 

Honorable Congressman Bob Filner

Dear Congressman Filner:

 

Sir:

 

I would like to congratulate you on your re-election. You will always have my loyalty & gratitude, although, I do not reside in your district. Your devotion to the cause of our military personnel, especially to the surviving Filipino WW11 U.S. veterans is something I treasure very much.

 

 I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your response to the previous communications I sent your office regarding my disappointments about the events that derailed S.1315 from being considered in the House of Representatives.

 

What I think really disconcerting is that Speaker Pelosi because of political expediency and cowardice buckled under the combined pressures from The American Legion, Republican Party oppositionists and Blue Dog Democrats that had left you in no other position than to introduce H.R. 6897. I could not believe that just because she knew how beloved you are to our community that you alone in the House of Representatives carry the burden of mitigating an injustice inflicted to our elderly Filipino veterans by the United States government. To me, it seems that she left you holding the bag expecting that you save the day for all of us.

 

As the daughter of a WW11 Death March and P.O.W. survivor, niece of a Philippine Scout, as well as the descendant and the mother of many veterans who had fought for United States in numerous wars and military conflicts, I consider it my sacred duty to espouse the cause of our veterans.

 

Additionally Sir, I would like you to know that I feel more hopeful now of the eventual success of your mission, since I am fortunate enough to have an exchange of ideas with Colonel Romy Monteyro who had patiently and competently explained to me the intricacies of the legislative process involved.

 

Thank you very much for your kind attention to this matter. I would also like to express my gratitude to your staff.

 

Sincerely,

 

Maria Elizabeth Embry

Antioch California 94509

http://filipinos-ww2usveterans-4equity.tripod.com 

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

                                     HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                              October 6, 2008

 

 

Maria Elizabeth Embry

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Antioch, Ca 94509

 

Dear Maria:

 

Thank you for contacting me about legislation to restore equity to Filipino World War 11 Veterans.  I am deeply sorry that we were unsuccessful in convincing the leadership of the House of Representatives to bring the complete S.1315, the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act, to the House for a vote after it passed the Senate.

 

With that avenue to benefits all but closed, I introduced H.R. 6897, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, to provide an alternative—a lump sum payment to veterans in the United States and in the Philippines. I know that many of you were supporters of S. 1315 and did not want H.R. 6897 to pass. I agree that this bill in no way provided the full equity that the veterans deserve and the full equity that we all were seeking, but it appeared to have a chance of success. The Filipino veterans are dying, and many of those who are still with us desperately need financial help!

 

Indeed, H.R. 6897 passed the House by a vote of 392-23! You may know that we were also successful in getting $198 million in the Consolidated Appropriations bill to pay for H.R. 6897! But, at this point, a “hold” was placed on this bill on the Senate side. The end result is that Filipino Veterans will get nothing from the 110th Congress.

 

We came very close. Although we are all saddened by the turn of events, I promise I will never give up. Equity and recognition for World War 11 Veterans is a moral imperative!

 

                                                              Sincerely,

                                                              

                                                             Bob Filner

                                                             Member of Congress

 

BF/ss

2483955

NO to H.R. 6897 Inequity Act! YES to S. 1315 for Filipino veterans

Sunday, September 21, 2008 11:32 PM
From:
To:
Sharon.Schultze@mail.house.gov
The Honorable Congressman Bob Filner
NO to H.R. 6897 Inequity Act!
YES to S. 1315 for Filipino veterans

Dear Congressman Filner,
 
With all due respect to you Hon Congressman Filner, because you have truly worked  so hard for the benefit & welfare of the WW2 Filipino U.S. veterans

S.1315

Sunday, September 21, 2008 9:04 PM
From:
To:
Sharon.Schultze@mail.house.gov

 

Source: http://philippinemabuhaynews.com/V16N29/V16N29-ed05.html

 

Mission accomplished?

Why?
By Col Romy Monteyro AFP (Ret.)


Excerpts:

Bob Filner had to compromise. S-1315 was amended to exclude the provisions for the Filipino WWII veterans. In its place was introduced HR6897 which will provide a one-time lump sum payment of $15,000 to US citizen FilVets and $9,000 to WWII veterans who are Filipino citizens. This measure, with the cooperation of Buyer easily passed in the House and is now awaiting a Senate version.

Meanwhile, S-1315 goes to the bicameral joint conference committee which will craft a final Bill to be signed by President George W. Bush. As a further compromise, we in the Filipino veterans advocacy group proposed, in a last ditch attempt, that S-1315 retains the provisions for the FilVets, if only for those who have become US citizens, and especially for the members of the New Philippine Scouts, who served only in the US armed forces, and the lump sum payment of $9,000 be made exclusive to those FilVets who have remained Filipino citizens.

This writer was assured by the leadership of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, headed by Col. Emanuel de Ocampo that their members are fully amenable to this option, since most of them are old and they simply want to enjoy what little Uncle Sam decides to give them before they depart this earth. Pathetic, indeed, but that is the sad reality of things as far as these former warriors are concerned.

Whether Senator Akaka and Congressman Bob Filner succeed in their last minute attempt to re-introduce the desired amendments to S-1315 in the joint committee level remain to be seen. The last report was not encouraging at all in that Senator Burr, the Republican lawmaker from North Carolina, is blocking the effort of Senator Akaka to convene the joint conference committee.


And if HR6897 prevails, both Akaka and Filner should insist that the lump sum payment to the FilVets be deemed tax-free (not considered income) or it will simply be an exercise in futility to those FilVets in the US who are SSI recipients!

At this time this writer can only speculate on the outcome of the joint effort of Senator Akaka and Congressman Filner to correct the historic wrong visited upon the Filipino WWII veterans by the very country they so faithfully served during her darkest hours in World War II.

I have often said, and I say it again at the risk of being laughed at by the cynics and unbelievers, that I rely on a higher power to intervene on behalf of the Filipino WWII veterans. But like any strong believer in the Lord, I shall accept His will for my beloved veterans without question.

It would truly break my heart if I fail in this mission. I do not know how I could face my beloved veterans and their widows if I do not succeed. I do not know how I could explain my failure to my dear departed brothers in arms, Commander Resty Supnet and Colonel Kitz Quesada when I finally meet with them in the great beyond.

I can only pray that the Lord, in His infinite mercy, wisdom and grace, may grant me my prayer and make my fondest wish come true, to say finally to the Filipino World War II veterans and their widows: "Mission Accomplished!"

 

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