BILL ANALYSIS �
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AJR 6
Author: Ma (D), et al.
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 73-0, 5/2/11(Consent) - See last page for
vote
SUBJECT : Filipino veterans
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution requests that the Congress and
the President of the United States enact the Filipino
Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R. 210).
ANALYSIS : Under United States Code Title 38, Chapter 1,
section 107, service before July 1, 1946, in the organized
military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of
the Philippines, ? including among such military forces
organized guerrilla forces under ? competent authority in
the Army of the United States, is not deemed to have been
active military, naval, or air service for the purposes of
any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges,
or benefits upon any person by reason of the service of
such person or the service of any other person in the Armed
Forces.
This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
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1.At the time of World War II, Filipinos, who volunteered
to fight in the war, were promised full veterans'
benefits by the United States Government.
2.More than 250,000 Filipinos signed up to serve in the war
in response to this promise.
3.In 1946, President Truman signed the first Supplemental
Surplus Appropriation Rescission ? and the second
Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act ? known
as the Rescission Acts of 1946, �which]? denied almost
250,000 Filipino soldiers the benefits they earned
serving to protect the United States.
4.The "Old" or Regular Filipino Scouts were entitled to all
benefits administered by the Department of Veterans
Affairs, while the military forces of the Government of
the Commonwealth of the Philippines, recognized guerilla
forces, and the New Philippine Scouts were all denied the
same benefits, even though they fought alongside the
Regular Filipino Scouts.
5.Congresswoman Jackie Speier introduced the "Filipino
Veterans Fairness Act of 2011" (H.R. 210) to reverse the
Rescission Acts of 1946.
6.H.R. 210 restores the average monthly pension of $1,500,
medical care, burial services, and all other benefits
that are as of now deemed available only to United States
citizens.
7.H.R. 210 would allow the widows and widowers of the
Filipino veterans, who are deceased, to receive the
benefits that their spouses earned.
8.In 2007, the Legislature unanimously approved SJR 5
requesting the Congress and the President of the United
States to enact the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007.
9.There is a sense of urgency to pass H.R. 210 because
approximately 50,000 Filipino veterans are still alive,
and with the passing of each day, more of these brave
soldiers will become deceased.
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AJR 6
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Related Legislation
AB 199 (Ma and Cook) encourages academic curriculum to
include instruction on World War II and the role of
Filipinos in that war.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
ASSEMBLY FLOOR :
AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Allen, Ammiano, Atkins, Beall,
Bill Berryhill, Block, Blumenfield, Bonilla, Bradford,
Brownley, Buchanan, Butler, Campos, Carter, Cedillo,
Chesbro, Conway, Cook, Davis, Dickinson, Donnelly, Eng,
Feuer, Fletcher, Fong, Furutani, Garrick, Gatto, Gordon,
Grove, Hagman, Halderman, Hall, Harkey, Hayashi, Hill,
Huber, Hueso, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Knight, Lara,
Logue, Bonnie Lowenthal, Ma, Mansoor, Miller, Mitchell,
Monning, Morrell, Nestande, Nielsen, Norby, Olsen, Pan,
Perea, V. Manuel P�rez, Portantino, Silva, Skinner,
Smyth, Solorio, Swanson, Torres, Valadao, Wagner,
Wieckowski, Williams, Yamada, John A. P�rez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Charles Calderon, Fuentes, Galgiani,
Gorell, Roger Hern�ndez, Mendoza, Vacancy
RM:nl 5/29/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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