BILL ANALYSIS
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AJR 2
Author: Evans (D), et al
Amended: 5/5/5 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE : 4-0, 6/28/05
AYES: Morrow, Denham, Chesbro, Soto
NO VOTE RECORDED: Dunn
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 72-0, 5/5/05 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Filipino veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces:
full benefits
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution memorializes the President and
the United States Congress to grant full veterans benefits
to Filipino veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
ANALYSIS : Existing law, as a result of the Rescission
Act of 1946, Title 38, Section 107 (a) of the United States
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 Secretary of
Veterans Affairs.
CONTINUED
AJR 2
Page
2
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 l946.
4.Memorializes the President and Congress to favorably
consider legislation granting full benefits to Filipino
veterans of the United States Armed Forces. This
includes hospital and nursing home care, as well as
medical services, pension, and burial benefits.
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, and (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 $.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
the one being proposed, 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 the
resolution.
AJR 2
Page
3
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: Yes
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/16/05)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California
Filipinos for Affirmative Action
Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality
California Veterans Board
ASSEMBLY FLOOR :
AYES: Aghazarian, Arambula, Baca, Bass, Benoit, Berg,
Bermudez, Blakeslee, Bogh, Calderon, Canciamilla, Chan,
Chavez, Chu, Cogdill, Cohn, Coto, Daucher, De La Torre,
DeVore, Dymally, Emmerson, Evans, Frommer, Garcia,
Goldberg, Hancock, Harman, Shirley Horton, Houston, Huff,
Jones, Karnette, Keene, Klehs, Koretz, La Malfa, La Suer,
Laird, Leno, Lieber, Liu, Matthews, McCarthy, Montanez,
Mountjoy, Mullin, Nakanishi, Nation, Nava, Negrete
McLeod, Niello, Oropeza, Parra, Pavley, Plescia, Richman,
Ridley-Thomas, Ruskin, Saldana, Salinas, Spitzer,
Strickland, Torrico, Tran, Umberg, Vargas, Villines,
Walters, Wyland, Yee, Nunez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Gordon, Haynes, Jerome Horton, Leslie,
Levine, Maze, Sharon Runner, Wolk
TSM:cm 8/16/05 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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