The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007

Subject: HR 760, The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007


The Honorable Members of the U.S. House of Representatives:

We are writing to ask you to support HR 760, The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. HR 760 was introduced by Rep. Bob Filner on January 31, 2007. As Chairman of the House Veterans Committee, Rep. Filner has held a hearing on HR 760 on February 15, 2007.

When enacted into law, HR 760 and its companion bill in the Senate, S57, will amend Title 8 of the US Code to enable the Filipino WWII veterans to receive pensions and other benefits as US veterans from the US Veterans Administration.

Mr. Congressman, the Filipino soldiers who fought against the Japanese in the Philippines were ordered by President Roosevelt into service in the US Army. When the war broke out, the Philippines was a colony of the US. Therefore, the Filipino soldiers were American nationals serving the United States of America. They should have been entitled to full VA benefits if the Rider to PL 79-301, the Rescission Act of 1946, did not take those benefits away.

Out of the estimated 472,000 listed by the US Army at the end of WWII, only about 22,000 remain today, 15,000 reside in the Philippines and 7,000 in the U.S. They are in their 80s. Sixty one years have passed since the Rescission of Act of 1946 was enacted. Time is running out for these valiant and gallant Filipino WWII veterans.

Please support HR 760, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007.



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Subject: Senate Resolution S 57, The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007


The Honorable Members of the U.S. Senate:

We are writing to ask you to support Senate Resolution S57, The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007. S57 was introduced by Senator Daniel K. Inouye last January 4, 2007 with five co-sponsors.

When enacted into law, S57 and its companion bill in the House, HR760, will amend Title 8 of the US Code to enable the Filipino WWII veterans to receive pensions and other benefits as US veterans from the US Veterans Administration.

Mr. Senator, the Filipino soldiers who fought against the Japanese in the Philippines were ordered by President Roosevelt into service in the US Army. When the war broke out, the Philippines was a colony of the U.S. Therefore, the Filipino soldiers were American nationals serving the United States of America. They should have been entitled to full VA benefits had the Rider to PL 79-301, The Rescission Act of 1946, not take those benefits away.

Out of the estimated 472,000 listed by the US Army at the end of WWII, only about 22,000 remain today, 15,000 reside in the Philippines and 7,000 in the U.S. They are in their 80s. Sixty one years have passed since the Rescission of Act of 1946 was enacted. Time is running out for these valiant and gallant Filipino WWII veterans.

Please support S57, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007.