Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act

Bill: 111-hr-44
Sponsor: Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Asia
Civil actions and liability
Conflicts and wars
Crime victims
Crimes against women
Department of Justice
Guam
Human trafficking
Japan
Monuments and memorials
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
World history

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were raped, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war or survivors of compensable injured residents (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents).
 
Defines &quot;compensable Guam decedent&quot; and &quot;compensable Guam victim.&quot;
 
Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury. Authorizes the Commission to adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility. 
 
Requires: (1) claims to be filed within one year after the Commission publishes public notice of the filing period in the Federal Register; and (2) the Commission to make filing period information available to the public through the media in Guam.
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for research, educational, and media activities that memorialize the events surrounding the occupation of Guam during World War II or honor the loyalty of the people of Guam during such occupation, or both.

action_date: 2009-02-23
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - (Sec. 2) Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II. 
 
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were raped, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war and survivors of compensable injured residents (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents).
 
Defines &quot;compensable Guam decedent&quot; as a Guam resident who died or was killed as a result of the attack and occupation of Guam by Japanese military forces during World War II, or incident to Guam's liberation by U.S. military forces, and whose death would have been compensable under the Guam Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 if a timely claim had been filed.
 
Defines &quot;compensable Guam victim&quot; as an individual who, as a result of the attack and occupation of Guam by Japanese military forces during World War II or incident to the liberation of Guam by U.S. military forces, suffered any of the following: (1) rape or severe personal injury (such as loss of a limb, dismemberment, or paralysis); (2) forced labor or personal injury (such as disfigurement, scarring, or burns); or (3) forced march, internment, or hiding to evade internment.
 
(Sec. 4) Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury. Authorizes the Commission to adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility. 
 
Requires: (1) claims to be filed within one year after the Commission publishes public notice of the filing period in the Federal Register; and (2) the Commission to make filing period information available to the public through the media in Guam.
 
Subjects false claims to criminal penalties.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for research, educational, and media activities that memorialize the events surrounding the World War II occupation of Guam or honor the loyalty of the people of Guam during the occupation, or both.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations, which shall remain available for obligation until September 30, 2013, for: (1) Guam World War II claims payments and adjudication; and (2) the Guam World War II memorial grant program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2009-02-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 299 - 99 (Roll no. 73). (text: CR H1610-1612)
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 299 - 99 (Roll no. 73).(text: CR H1610-1612)
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1635-1636)
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 44.
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1610-1616)
action_date: 2009-02-23
text: Ms. Bordallo moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2009-02-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in House