File #: 2005-0417    Version:
Type: Motion Status: Passed
File created: 10/17/2005 In control: Committee of the Whole
On agenda: Final action: 10/24/2005
Enactment date: Enactment #: 12214
Title: A MOTION in support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, and advocating for family members of World War II Filipino American veterans as citizens of the United States of America.
Sponsors: Larry Gossett, Julia Patterson, Dwight Pelz, Larry Phillips, Jane Hague
Indexes: Veterans
Attachments: 1. Motion 12214.pdf, 2. 2005-0417 Attachment #2 for 10-24-05 COW ~ Striking Amendment A1.doc, 3. 2005-0417 Attachment #3 for 10-24-05 COW ~ Title Amendment.doc, 4. 2005-0417 Attachment #4 for 10-24-05 COW ~ H.R. 302.pdf, 5. 2005-0417 Attachment #5 for 10-24-05 COW ~ S. 146.pdf, 6. 2005-0417 Staff Report for 10-24-05 COW.doc
Drafter
Clerk 10/13/2005
Title
A MOTION in support of the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, and advocating for family members of World War II Filipino American veterans as citizens of the United States of America.
 
Body
      WHEREAS, in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt drafted over two hundred thousand members of the Philippines Commonwealth Army and the Special Philippines Scouts into American Military Service to fight in the Pacific as part of the United States Armed Forces of the Far East, and
      WHEREAS, bravely fighting alongside American allies and suffering through horrific experiences such as the Bataan Death March, many of the Filipino soldiers sacrificed their lives, and those that survived were promised by the United States government that they would be considered United States veterans with active service, entitling them to the full benefits of United States war veterans, and
      WHEREAS, the United States Congress passed the Rescission Act of 1946, which specifically mandated that services rendered by the Philippines Commonwealth Army "shall not be deemed active military, naval or air service for the purposes of any law of the U.S.," thereby stripping these soldiers of equal recognition, compensation and benefits, and
      WHEREAS, securing equal and full benefits for Filipino World War II Veterans has been a long and challenging battle, but families, community members and elected officials continue to champion their cause and work for passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill, and
      WHEREAS, the United States government granted citizenship to these veterans in 1990, but it is the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill that would recognize their valiant military service through full recognition and full benefits, and with many Filipino World War II veterans now in their eighties and nineties, their contributions should no longer be diminished, and
      WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced in the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate to restore equal recognition and benefits for Filipino veterans who fought for the United States during World War II;
      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
      The King County council urges members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate to support the Filipino Veterans Equity Bill.
      The King County council urges the President of the United States to issue an Executive Order that grants family members of World War II Filipino American Veterans status as citizens of the United States of America.