Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in strong support of S. 1555, legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the Filipino Veterans of World War II in recognition of their service and sacrifice and their role in defeating the Imperial Japanese Army.

While we are taking up the Senate-passed version of the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Medal Act today, I want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the gentlewoman from Hawaii, Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who has led the effort to move this same legislation across the finish line here in the House. Since introducing the legislation, Representative Gabbard has garnered the support of more than 300 House cosponsors, and I am proud to be among them.

In 1934, the United States began a 10-year period of bringing its colonial rule to an end. During that time, the U.S. retained control over Philippine foreign policy and maintained the right to call Filipinos into the service of the United States Armed Forces.

As tensions with Japan began to rise in 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt invoked his authority to call all organized military forces of the Government of the Philippines into the service of the United States. Responding to his call to arms, more than 200,000 Filipinos fought on behalf of the U.S. as part of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East.

The force included the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the new Philippine Scouts, Filipino civilians who served on a voluntary basis, and the Guerrilla Services who fought behind enemy lines throughout the war.

Over the course of the war, an estimated 57,000 Filipinos in uniform perished, and many more Filipino civilian lives were lost. Despite this loyalty and tremendous sacrifice, and the U.S. commitment to provide Filipinos who served as part of the Allied struggle with full veterans benefits, this promise was shamefully withdrawn by the Rescission Act of 1946 at the close of the war.

While a number of benefits have since been made available to the Filipino veterans, we must continue to work to ensure that those who risked their lives to defend the United States and the free world are provided with the full benefits, honor, and respect that they deserve.

This legislation has the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, the American Legion, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and many other distinguished organizations.

I urge Members to pass this legislation, which takes a modest but welcome step to recognize the contributions of Filipino veterans of World War II.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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