BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AJR 37
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AJR
37 (Bonta)
As Amended June 10, 2016
Majority vote
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Veterans |8-0 |Irwin, Chávez, | |
|Affairs | |Achadjian, Alejo, | |
| | |Brown, Daly, Frazier, | |
| | |Salas | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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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: None.
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COMMENTS:
According to the United States House of Representatives History,
Art, and Archives Web site:
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. 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.
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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 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.
Analysis Prepared by:
John Spangler / V.A. / (916) 319-3550 FN:
0003462
AJR 37
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