IV 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 559 
Expressing the Nation’s sincerest appreciation for the service of the World 
War II Filipino veterans who fought in the Armed Forces on the 80th 
anniversary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s military order. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 26, 2021 
Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. CASE, Ms. HERRELL, Mr. KINZINGER, Mr. 
FITZPATRICK, Ms. SALAZAR, Mr. RICE of South Carolina, Mr. GARCIA 
of California, Mr. NUNES, Mr. CALVERT, Mrs. STEEL, Mr. LAMALFA, 
Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mrs. KIM of California, Mr. VALADAO, Mr. MCCAR-
THY, and Mr. OBERNOLTE) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the Nation’s sincerest appreciation for the service 
of the World War II Filipino veterans who fought in 
the Armed Forces on the 80th anniversary of President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s military order. 
Whereas the Philippines Archipelago was acquired by the 
United States in 1898, became an organized United 
States territory in 1902, and remained American terri-
tory until its independence in 1945; 
Whereas the people of the Philippines and the United States 
developed strong ties based upon shared democratic val-
ues and security interests, which compelled the United 
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States to defend the people of the Philippines even after 
independence; 
Whereas, on July 26, 1941, in anticipation of Japanese ag-
gression in the Asia Pacific region, President Franklin D. 
Roosevelt issued a military order calling the organized 
military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth 
of the Philippines into service under the command of 
General Douglas MacArthur; 
Whereas President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s military order 
stated, ‘‘As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy 
of the United States, I hereby call and order into service 
of the Armed Forces of the United States for the period 
of the existing emergency, and place under the command 
of a General Officer, United States Army, to be des-
ignated by the Secretary of War from time to time, all 
of the organized military forces of the Government of the 
Commonwealth of the Philippines’’; 
Whereas, on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and 
Clark Air Field in the Philippines were suddenly at-
tacked, initiating fighting on the Pacific front during 
World War II, which led to the loss of hundreds of thou-
sands of American and Filipino soldiers and countless ci-
vilian casualties; 
Whereas, on February 20, 1946, President Harry Truman 
stated, ‘‘Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the 
United States and will continue in that status until July 
4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the 
American flag, and under the direction of our military 
leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under 
most difficult conditions.’’; 
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Whereas, on October 17, 1996, President William J. Clinton 
issued a proclamation on the anniversary of the 1944 re-
turn of United States forces under General MacArthur to 
liberate the Philippines and said, ‘‘I urge all Americans 
to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of Filipino 
Veterans of World War II and honor them for their con-
tribution to our freedom.’’; 
Whereas, on July 26, 2001, President George W. Bush, in 
his greetings to the Filipino World War II veterans said, 
‘‘More than 120,000 Filipinos fought with unwavering 
loyalty and great gallantry under the command of Gen-
eral Douglas MacArthur. The combined United States- 
Philippine forces distinguished themselves by their valor 
and heroism in defense of freedom and democracy. Thou-
sands of Filipino soldiers gave their lives in the battles 
of Bataan and Corregidor. These soldiers won for the 
United States the precious time needed to disrupt the en-
emy’s plan for conquest in the Pacific. During the 3 long 
years following these battles, the Filipino people valiantly 
resisted a brutal Japanese occupation with an indomi-
table spirit and steadfast loyalty to America.’’; 
Whereas originally more than 250,000 Filipinos served this 
cause; 
Whereas this year marks the 80th anniversary of the military 
order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt; and 
Whereas the contributions of the Filipino people and the sac-
rifices of their soldiers in World War II should be recog-
nized on this anniversary: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors 
and extends its sincere appreciation to the veterans of the 
Philippine Commonwealth Army during World War II for 
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their sacrifice to our Nation during a time of war and for 
their selfless service. 
Æ 
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