IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. RES. 229

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the military

service of Filipinos during World War II and their eligibility for benefits

under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

AUGUST 2, 2001

Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the

Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the military service of Filipinos during World War

II and their eligibility for benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Whereas more than 140,000 Filipino soldiers fought in units

of the United States Army during World War II;

Whereas many other Filipinos fought during World War II

in units that had no ties or only informal ties to the

United States Army;

Whereas the Philippines was a territory of the United States

before and during World War II and did not gain its

independence until 1946;
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•HRES 229 IH

Whereas Filipinos who served in Filipino-manned units of the

United States Army prior to October 6, 1945, are known

as ‘‘regular Philippine Scouts’’ or ‘‘old scouts’’;

Whereas Filipinos who enlisted or reenlisted in Filipinomanned units of the United States Army on or after October 6, 1945, are known as ‘‘new Philippine Scouts’’ or

‘‘special Philippine Scouts’’;

Whereas Filipinos who served during World War II in units

that were under the command of a commissioned officer

in the United States Armed Forces or that were otherwise recognized by, and cooperating with, the United

States Armed Forces are known as ‘‘United States Army

Forces of the Far East Guerrillas’’ or as members of the

‘‘Guerrilla Service’’;

Whereas many other Filipinos served during World War II as

members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines

while such forces were in the service of the United States

Armed Forces pursuant to the military order of President

Franklin Roosevelt dated July 26, 1941;

Whereas Filipinos who served during World War II as members of the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines or as

members of the Guerrilla Service are collectively known

as ‘‘Commonwealth Army veterans’’;

Whereas the regular Philippine Scouts, new Philippine

Scouts, United States Army Forces of the Far East

Guerrillas, and members of the Commonwealth Army of

the Philippines all fought valiantly alongside other members of the United States Armed Forces in the defense

and liberation of the Philippines; and

Whereas Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine

Scouts are eligible for only certain veterans’ benefits,
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•HRES 229 IH

which are generally payable at half the rate payable to

other veterans under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that—

3 (1) the regular Philippine Scouts, new Phil4 ippine Scouts, United States Army Forces of the

5 Far East Guerrillas, and members of the Common6 wealth Army of the Philippines deserve recognition

7 for their valiant service during World War II; and

8 (2) new Philippine Scouts and Commonwealth

9 Army veterans deserve to receive the same veterans’

10 benefits to which other members of the United

11 States Armed Forces are entitled under programs

12 administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

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