For Immediate Release
Monday, April 21, 2008
CONTACT:Nkenge Harmon, Reid, (202) 224-8994
Jesse Broder Van Dyke, Akaka, (202) 224-7045
Mike Yuen, Inouye, (202) 224-3934
SENATE DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO ENSURE FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS RECEIVE LONG OVERDUE VA BENEFITSWashington, DC - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and WWII veterans Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Senator Daniel K. Inouye discuss the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007.
Senator Reid said, "On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on whether to proceed to the consideration of S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act. This important bill would fix a historical wrong done to Filipino veterans that served under U.S. command during World War II and who were promised benefits comparable to those of all American veterans. That promise has not been kept and it's past time to make this right.
"Senate Democrats are fighting for the rights of all our veterans who answered this country's call to battle. The travesty here is that Filipino WWII veterans have been woefully ignored even though they fought for our country," Reid said. "For decades we have tried to restore the benefits that we gave to Filipino veterans following the war, but were later taken away. Time is running out. The average age of these vets is 80 and we can't afford to wait any longer to do what's right. These soldiers made a promise to protect and fight for us and we must keep our promise to honor and fight for them. "
Senator Akaka said, "This legislation will enable Congress to begin to rectify a wrong done to Filipino World War II veterans over 60 years ago. The United States has a moral obligation to care for those who have served under its flag. I believe in the soldier's creed, 'leave no man behind.' This Nation should not leave these aged veterans behind during their twilight years."
"We have an opportunity to make right an injustice that has carried on for 60 years, an injustice that has outlived most of these Filipinos who fought side-by-side with American troops," Akaka said. "This bill compliments the record increases in the VA budget passed by Democrats since taking over Congress, following years of underfunding VA in a time of war."
Senator Inouye said, "This measure is about equity. It is about justice. When President Roosevelt in 1941 issued an executive order calling members of the Philippine Commonwealth Army into the service of the U.S. military, they were promised full U.S. veterans' benefits. But in 1946, the U.S. Congress betrayed the Filipino veterans - who fought and died in the same manner as American troops in World War II - by enacting legislation that denied Filipino veterans the benefits to which they were entitled. This is wrong and un-American. After more than 60 years, this situation must be rectified."
In addition to the Filipino veterans' provisions, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act would improve life insurance programs for disabled veterans, increase benefits for education programs, and improve housing programs for disabled service members, and among other things.
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Q&A: WHY IS IT URGENT TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS NOW!!!A Call to Action to All Those Who Believe in Justice & Equity for Veterans*Last Updated: April 21, 2008 - 12:00 pm (PST)1. What is at stake?The Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007(S. 57) sponsored by Senator Inouye and Senator Akaka was incorporated in a bigger comprehensive bill entitled Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act (S.1315). After 62 years of injustice, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007 will give full recognition and corresponding benefits to all Filipino World War II if enacted into law. The omnibus/comprehensive bill S. 1315 is placed on Senate calendar for debate by full chamber beginning April 22, 2008.
2. What will happen on April 22, 2008?Before the bill becomes a law, both the House of Representatives and Senate must vote in favor of the bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled S. 1315 for debate by full chamber on April 22, 2008 at 12:00 noon (EST).
3. What happens during a scheduled debate on the S. 1315?If there are enough supporters for the bill, Senators attending the session may vote to close debate by invoking "cloture" which requires that the debate be ended by 60 Senators vote.
4. What happens if there is a cloture?If there is a cloture, the debate will end and the bill will be voted upon and be approved by majority of the Senators (60) who attended the scheduled session for debate or vote.
5. Why do we need to contact our Senators?S. 1315 needs support of 60 Senators to vote in favor of the bill and to invoke cloture. If these 60 Senators vote in favor of cloture and eventually in favor of the bill, then the bill shall be considered approved by the Senate and half of the battle is won in Congress. Of the 100 Senators, there must at least be 60 Senators who must attend and vote in favor of S. 1315.
6. What happens if there are not enough 60 Senators who will vote in favor of cloture?If there is no cloture, then there will be a continuing debate on the bill which may possibly still pass the bill according to its original version or may water down the provision of the Filipino Equity Bill. The latter may result in lesser benefits or no benefits for Filipino veterans. It is, therefore, important that there be no further debate on a very clear historical error and that the rectification of this error may only be accomplished by passage of the Filipino Equity Bill.
7. What if the debate continues and no agreement is reached?Just like the comprehensive immigration reform bill, Senator H. Reid may pull the S.1315 bill out of the Senate calendar and may possibly be trailed or not be considered further depending on the outcome of the debate.
8. What can we do to avoid further debate and just support passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill?
While most of the constituents may not be present in Capitol Hill to support the bill, a mere phone call/'email./ or fax to your Senator will make a difference. Contact your Senators and urge them to support S. 1315.
9. How do we Contact our Senators?Call the Capitol Switchboard at
(202) 224-3121 or check online directory at
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.ttOr log on to
http://www.veteransequitycenter.org/legislative.htmto find list of Senators and their corresponding fax number and contact information.
10. What will we say to our Senators when we contact their office?The message should be simple and clear: "I urge you to support our Filipino World War II veterans and to vote in favor of S. 1315 Veterans Benefit Enhancement Act."
*For more information: Contact: Luisa M. Antonio, Executive Director, Veterans Equity Center at 415. 255. 2345 or email at sfvec2000@yahoo.com or visit the website www.veteransequitycenter.orgLabels: Fil-Am Issues
