THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	39
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING ENACTMENT OF THE FILIPINO AMERICAN VETERANS EQUITY ACT OF 2007, OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION THAT PROVIDES FEDERAL VETERANS BENEFITS AND SERVICES TO FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS.

     WHEREAS, in the Military Order of July 27, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt drafted the Philippine Commonwealth Armed Forces and the Special Philippine Scouts into the United States (U.S.) Armed Forces joining the military assault against the Japanese Forces in defense of America's democracy; and

     WHEREAS, throughout 1941-1946, tens of thousands of Filipino soldiers were held prisoner, risking their lives and the lives of their families, while maintaining underground battles against the invading Japanese forces and boldly assisting the U.S. Armed Forces in its campaign to liberate the Philippines; and

     WHEREAS, many of the Filipino wartime veterans are now permanently disabled, yet many received honorable discharges from the military after serving more than 90 days on active duty military service during World War II, making them eligible for federal veterans benefits and services; and

     WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton on October 17, 1996, President George W. Bush on July 26, 2001, and the U.S. Congress on September 13, 2006, recognized and proclaimed the vital role that the Filipino wartime soldiers played in assisting the U.S. Armed Forces to defeat the invading Japanese forces in defense of freedom; and

     WHEREAS, it is long overdue to correct this injustice and provide war-time veterans benefits and services to the Filipino wartime veterans for their valiant service during World War II; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature urges the U.S. Congress and President of the United States to pass and enact the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007, or similar legislation that provides federal veterans benefits and services to Filipino World War II veterans; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation.

Report Title: 

Filipino WWII Vets; Federal Veterans Benefits and Services