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 re-
ferred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and in addition to the
Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined 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 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;
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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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-
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,
•HRES 229 IH
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.
Æ