IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 65
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 
FEBRUARY 11, 2003
Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD (for herself and Mr. ISSA) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Af-
fairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regard-
ing the military service of Filipinos during World War 
II and their eligibility for benefits under programs ad-
ministered 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;
•HRES 65 IH 
Whereas the Philippines was a territory of the United States 
before and during World War II and did not gain its 
independence until 1946; 
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 Filipino-
manned units of the United States Army on or after Oc-
tober 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 other-
wise 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 mem-
bers 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 mem-
•HRES 65 IH 
bers 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, 
which are generally payable at half the rate payable to 
other veterans under programs administered by the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that—
(1) the regular Philippine Scouts, new Phil-
ippine Scouts, United States Army Forces of the 
Far East Guerrillas, and members of the Common-
wealth Army of the Philippines deserve recognition 
for their valiant service during World War II; and 
(2) new Philippine Scouts and Commonwealth 
Army veterans deserve to receive the same veterans’ 
benefits to which other members of the United 
States Armed Forces are entitled under programs 
administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
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