(1) The Philippine Islands were acquired by the 
United States in 1898 and remained a possession of 
the United States until 1946. 
(2) On July 26, 1941, the President of the 
United States issued an Executive order inducting 
all military forces of the Commonwealth of the Phil-
ippines under the command of a newly created com-
mand structure called the United States Armed 
Forces of the Far East (USAFFE). 
(3) The Rescission Acts of 1946 stripped the 
military forces of the Commonwealth of the Phil-
ippines that were under the command of USAFFE 
from receiving certain benefits under programs ad-
ministered by the Veterans’ Administration. 
(4) The Organized Military Forces of the Com-
monwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine 
Scouts, having served a significant role in combat 
alongside United States Armed Forces during World 
War II, should be granted benefits similar to those 
given to United States veterans. 
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SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL-
IPPINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING 
BENEFITS TO CERTAIN FILIPINO WORLD WAR 
II VETERANS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF ASSISTANCE.—The Presi-
dent is authorized to provide assistance to the Republic 
of the Philippines for the purpose of providing benefits, 
including the benefits described in subsection (b), to indi-
viduals who engaged in the service described in subsection 
(c) and to certain dependents of such individuals. 
(b) BENEFITS DESCRIBED.—Benefits described in 
this subsection are the following: 
(1) Compensation for service-connected disabil-
ities. 
(2) In the case of an individual who engaged in 
the service described in subsection (c) and died as a 
result of such service, dependency and indemnity 
compensation for the individual’s surviving spouse, 
children, and parents. 
(3) Medical care. 
(4) Education benefits. 
(5) Education benefits for children of an indi-
vidual who engaged in the service described in sub-
section (c). 
(6) Death pensions. 
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(c) SERVICE DESCRIBED.—Service described in this 
subsection is service— 
(1) before July 1, 1946, in the organized mili-
tary forces of the Government of the Commonwealth 
of the Philippines, while such forces were in the 
service of the Armed Forces of the United States 
pursuant to the military order of the President 
dated July 26, 1941, including among such military 
forces organized guerrilla forces under commanders 
appointed, designated, or subsequently recognized by 
the Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, or 
other competent authority in the Army of the United 
States; or 
(2) in the Philippine Scouts under section 14 of 
the Armed Forces Voluntary Recruitment Act of 
1945 (59 Stat. 538). 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To carry out this Act, there is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the President $200,000,000 
for fiscal year 2009. 
(b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.—Amounts appro-
priated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
under subsection (a)— 
(1) are authorized to remain available until ex-
pended; and 
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(2) are in addition to amounts otherwise avail-
able for such purposes. 
Æ 
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