BILL ANALYSIS
AJR 2
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AJR 2 (Evans)
As Introduced December 6, 2005
Majority vote
VETERANS AFFAIRS 8-0 APPROPRIATIONS 18-0
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|Ayes:|DeVore, Canciamilla, |Ayes:|Chu, Sharon Runner, Bass, |
| |Chavez, Evans, Oropeza, | |Berg, Calderon, Emmerson, |
| |Plescia, Sharon Runner, | |Mullin, Haynes, Karnette, |
| |Saldana | |Klehs, Leno, Nakanishi, |
| | | |Montanez, De La Torre, |
| | | | Ridley-Thomas, |
| | | |Saldana, Walters, Yee |
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SUMMARY : Memorializes the President and Congress of the United
States (U.S.) to grant full veterans benefits to Filipino
veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Specifically, this
resolution :
1)Provides several historical statistics reflecting Filipino
contributions during World War II.
2)States that America has failed to meet promises made to those
Filipino soldiers who fought as American soldiers during World
War II.
3)States that Congress, in 1946, passed legislation which
precluded Filipino veterans from receiving benefits available
to them prior to 1946.
4)Memorializes the President and Congress to favorably consider
legislation granting full benefits to Filipino veterans of the
U.S. Armed Forces. This would include hospital and nursing
home care, as well as medical services, pension, and burial
benefits.
EXISTING LAW states that as a result of the Rescission Act of
1946, Title 38, Section 107(a) of the U.S. Code explicitly
precludes service in World War II by organized Filipino military
forces from qualifying as active service in the U.S. Military
for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the
AJR 2
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Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : During and after World War II, there were several
groups of Filipino soldiers who served under the American flag,
including: 1) those who fought in regular components of the
U.S. Armed Forces, including Philippine Scouts (called "Old
Scouts"), who served prior to October 6, 1945; 2) members of the
Commonwealth Army of the Philippines, called into service
between 1941 and 1946; and, 3) Special Scouts (New Scouts),
formed in 1945.
Following World War II, medical benefits were given to those who
served in the U.S. Armed Forces or were Old Scouts. Medical
benefits, at the rate of $0.50 per dollar, were provided to
those Commonwealth Army and New Scout veterans who died, were
wounded, or disabled.
In recent years, the California Legislature has overwhelmingly
passed several resolutions, all similar to this resolution,
asking Congress to grant benefits to Commonwealth Army and New
Scouts veterans. These resolutions have had the positive effect
of increasing Congressional support for the issues addressed in
this resolution.
Analysis Prepared by : Anthony Newman / V.A / (916) 319-3550
FN: 0009906