Res. No. 1432
Resolution calling on Congress to pass and the President to sign the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R. 210), which would grant full benefits to Filipino veterans who fought alongside United States soldiers during World War II.
By Council Members Dromm, Chin, Comrie, Dickens, Eugene, Fidler, Gentile, James, Koppell, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Mendez, Palma, Rose and Williams
Whereas, During World War II, the Philippines was a commonwealth of the United States and so, during that time, Filipinos were legally American nationals; and
Whereas, More than 250,000 Filipinos put their lives at risk to fight in defense of the United States against the Japanese land and naval forces; and
Whereas, More than half of those 250,000 sacrificed their lives in defense of the United States in that global conflict; and
Whereas, The New York City Department of City Planning has estimated, based on 2000 Census data, that there were roughly 55,000 Filipinos in New York City; and
Whereas, The benefits that would normally accrue to an American national at war for the United States were promised to the Filipino soldiers and their families; and
Whereas, Those health, pension, and burial benefits are critical to restoring normality to the lives of soldiers and their families damaged or destroyed by combat in war; and
Whereas, The Rescission Act of 1946 denied full benefits to Filipino soldiers and their families, stating in relevant part that the service of Filipinos "shall not be deemed to have been active military, naval, or air service for the purposes of any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges, or benefits"; and
Whereas, The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 would recognize these veterans and their families by providing full benefits for fighting in defense of the United States and its interests; and
Whereas, The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 would provide the average monthly pension of $1,500 and provide medical care, burial services, and all other benefits that are available to similarly situated American citizens; and
Whereas, The Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 would also allow for veterans' widows to receive, for the first time, the benefits their husbands bravely earned; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Congress to pass and the President to sign the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011 (H.R. 210), which would grant full benefits to Filipino veterans who fought alongside United States soldiers during World War II.
LS 2957
6-25-12
RC