BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AJR 37
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Date of Hearing: June 14, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Jacqui Irwin, Chair
AJR 37
(Bonta) - As Introduced April 21, 2016
SUBJECT: Filipino veterans
SUMMARY: Requests that the Congress of the United States pass
H.R. 2737 and Sen. 1555 pertaining to Filipino veterans of World
War II in recognition of their loyal and selfless duty to the
Philippines and to the United States.
EXISTING LAW: Not applicable.
FISCAL EFFECT: This measure is not keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS:
According to the United States House of Representatives History,
Art, and Archives website:
Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold
medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for
distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal
honors a particular individual, institution, or event.
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Although the first recipients included citizens who
participated in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and
the Mexican War, Congress broadened the scope of the medal to
include actors, authors, entertainers, musicians, pioneers in
aeronautics and space, explorers, lifesavers, notables in
science and medicine, athletes, humanitarians, public
servants, and foreign recipients.
As stated above, typically the Gold Medal is given to
individuals (E.g., George Washington, Jesse Owens), though in
more recent times, there is precedent for groups, (E.g., the
Little Rock Nine, the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd
Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service,
United States Army).
H.R.2737 - 114th Congress (2015-2016) states in pertinent part:
Award Authorized.-The President pro tempore of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall make
appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress,
of a single gold medal of appropriate design to the Filipino
Veterans of World War II in recognition of the dedicated
service of the veterans during World War II.
S.1555 - 114th Congress (2015-2016) contains the same provision.
According to the author:
The Filipino Veterans of World War II have become a symbol of
injustice for Filipinos in the United States and in the
Philippines. During World War II, more than 250,000 Filipinos
and Filipino Americans were called into action and promised
full benefits, including citizenship, for their courageous and
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selfless efforts. However, the veterans never received the
benefits they were promised.
Rather than being honored for the roles they played,
Philippine military personnel were rendered ineligible for
benefits or public recognition when Truman signed the
Rescission Acts of 1946.
For decades, there have been efforts to grant equity
compensation to Filipino World War II Veterans. In 2009,
Congress provided $15,000 to eligible veterans who are U.S.
citizens and $9,000 to non-citizens. Although 18,800 Filipino
Veterans have received some payment, the United States
government has denied over 25,000 Filipino Veterans payments.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None
Opposition
AJR 37
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None.
Analysis Prepared by:John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550