E2208 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 2, 2008 

population of this group resides in my home 

State of Hawaii. Filipino Americans have been 

in the United States since the 18th century 

and have been in Hawaii since 1906, when 

the first Filipino migrant laborers came to Hawaii to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations. Those Filipinos, their descendants, 

and the recent immigrants to Hawaii and 

America have made an indelible impact on our 

culture, and we should be sure to take this 

month to recognize the contributions of Filipino 

Americans. 

While Filipinos have made great contributions to America, it is important that we not 

overlook the needs of the community, including a fair and sensible immigration policy. I 

chair the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, 

CAPAC, and I will continue to fight for the 

needs of families within the immigration debate. 

One of the major issues for the Filipino 

Americans and other Asian Pacific American 

communities is family reunification: allowing 

relatives of legal permanent residents, other 

than spouses and minor children, to immigrate 

legally and join their families. It can take the 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 

(USCIS) as long as 23 years to even consider 

an application for a family member from the 

Philippines. 

The extended family is a foundation in many 

of our cultures, and it provides real benefits to 

the greater society as well. Families often pool 

resources to educate children or purchase 

homes and establish roots in their communities. We often see extended family networks 

starting businesses, providing economic development and jobs. Congress must act to ensure that families who will contribute to American society are not punished by our immigration system. 

The treatment of Filipinos who fought with 

the United States Armed Forces in World War 

II is also an issue of great concern for Filipino 

Americans and a dark spot in American History. The Philippines became a United States 

possession after Spain ceded it as part of the 

treaty ending the Spanish-American War in 

1898. In 1934, Congress created a 10–year 

time frame for independence through the 

‘‘Philippine Independence Act.’’ However, 

since the Philippines remained a colonial possession until 1946 the United States retained 

the right to call upon military forces organized 

by the Philippine government into the United 

States Armed Forces. 

On July 26, 1941, President Franklin D. 

Roosevelt issued a military order that brought 

the Philippine Commonwealth Forces under 

the control of the United States Armed Forces 

during World War II. These men bravely 

fought with our own troops during the war, and 

many perished or suffered severe wounds 

from the battles in the western Pacific Theater. 

After the surrender of Japan, Congress required the Philippine Forces to continue service their service. Many helped occupy lands, 

many oversaw military operations, and many 

made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our victory in World War II. Yet, when wartime service ended formally in 1946 they did not receive the same benefits and the same treatment as other American soldiers. 

Yet, for all their heroic and courageous actions, Congress passed the ‘‘Recession Act’’ 

in February 1946. This essentially denied Filipino veterans any of the benefits that their 

American comrades in arms received, including full access to veterans’ health care; service-connected disability compensation, nonservice connected disability compensation, dependent indemnity compensation, death pension, and full burial benefits. No other group of 

veterans has been systematically denied these 

benefits. While we are nearly out of time to 

right this wrong this Congress, I look forward 

to working with my colleagues in the 111th 

Congress on ensuring Filipino veterans the 

benefits they deserve. 

Filipino Americans have enriched the fabric 

of America, and I am proud to celebrate Filipino American Heritage Month. I look forward 

to continuing to work with the Filipino American community to address the needs and 

concerns of Filipino Americans throughout the 

United States. 

f 

RECOGNIZING FAMILIA UNIDA LIVING WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 

HON. HILDA L. SOLIS OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Ms. SOLIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 

honor the work and service that Familia Unida 

Living with Multiple Sclerosis, Familia Unida, 

contributes throughout California’s 32nd Congressional District. 

Familia Unida’s mission is to enlighten, educate, and unite families that are affected by 

Multiple Sclerosis, MS, as well as other debilitating diseases. Though originally founded to 

provide culturally and linguistically sensitive resources to the Latino community dealing with 

MS, Family Unida’s outreach now extends into 

the entire MS community, providing services 

to any who request assistance in coping with 

this disease. Through events such as the 5th 

Annual Wheelchair Wash, Familia Unida continues to bring awareness to the importance of 

the inclusion of all persons, especially those 

living with disabilities, in our lives. 

Famila Unida has enhanced the quality of 

life for many through its extensive services in 

obtaining health care access, as well as providing educational resources. As Family Unida 

continues to honor its founding principles of 

providing culturally sensitive programs and 

support for those living with MS, I ask that my 

colleagues join me in recognizing its valued 

service and commitment to the MS community. 

f 

RECOGNIZING BOB SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UPON ITS FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. JEFF MILLER OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on 

behalf of the United States Congress, it is an 

honor for me to rise today to recognize Bob 

Sikes Elementary School on its fiftieth anniversary. 

Named after Robert L. F. Sikes, the beloved 

former U.S. Representative of Crestview, Florida, Bob Sikes Elementary School upholds the 

same values and standards as its namesake. 

Serving from 1941 until 1962, Congressman 

Sikes is still remembered for his hard work 

and dedication to the area. His image continues to live on in the exemplary institutions 

that adopt both his name and his commitment 

to excellence. 

For 5 decades, Bob Sikes Elementary 

School has influenced the academic success 

of its students. The school houses an exceptional faculty whose outstanding teaching capabilities have enhanced the learning opportunities for those enrolled. The school’s administration is equally impressive as it expertly balances the rigorous demands of running the 

school. It is the countless hours of service and 

dedication employed by the faculty and administration that have enabled the students at Bob 

Sikes Elementary to attain academic excellence. 

In addition to the active academic environment, Bob Sikes Elementary maintains a 

strong sense of community and enables each 

of its students to feel special. Teachers take 

the time to recognize and reward students’ individual talents and help foster a familial feel 

in the classrooms. After 50 years, multiple 

generations of Crestview families who have attended Bob Sikes Elementary look back fondly 

on the school that taught them to read, to be 

kind to others, to count, and so many other 

important lessons. It is a testament to the 

school’s academic and administrative 

strengths that 5 decades of families have continued to send their children to this exemplary 

school. It is these same strengths that ensure 

its continued success and the enrollment of 

children for decades to come. 

Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United 

States Congress, I am proud to recognize Bob 

Spikes Elementary School on this outstanding 

achievement and for its exemplary service in 

the Okaloosa County School District. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HERITAGE 

FOUNDATION 

HON. JOE WILSON 

OF SOUTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam 

Speaker, I wish to recognize The Heritage 

Foundation on the 35th anniversary of their 

founding. Since 1973, Heritage has been a 

stalwart in promoting and educating the American people on the merits of conservative, free 

market principles. Their belief in the power of 

individual liberty, American values, and limited 

government is matched by their dedication to 

a strong national defense. 

The Heritage Foundation has been intricately involved in the rise of modern conservatism. It has benefited from the strong leadership of individuals like Executive Vice President and CEO Phillip Truluck. Phil is a native 

of South Carolina and graduate of the University of South Carolina. Additionally, the late 

Tom Roe of Greenville, South Carolina, was a 

longtime trustee and endowed the Thomas A. 

Roe Institute of Economic Policy at The Heritage Foundation. 

From its influence in the days of the Reagan 

Revolution to the Contract with America and in 

promoting a strong national defense and 

sound economic growth in the aftermath of 


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