Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 01/01/2002

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I am writing to provide your readers with information about an important legislative hearing on health care for Filipino World War II veterans. The hearing is being held by the House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health on Thursday, June 13, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. in 334 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

The background for this hearing lies in action taken in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II, when Congress voted in the Rescissions Act to take away the promised benefits and recognition from many Filipino World War II veterans. These veterans, now in their 70s and 80s, are in need of health care. The Health Subcommittee hearing will focus on providing access to VA health care for these veterans. 

The Filipino veterans who are the subject of this hearing were soldiers living at that time in the Philippines, a territory of the United States. They were drafted into service during World War II by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served honorably alongside forces from the United States mainland. I am certain that your readers have heard of the famous battles of Bataan and Corregidor, the Bataan Death March, and the prisoner of war camps where prisoners died at the rate of 50-200 a day. The soldiers who escaped capture, together with Filipino civilians, fought against the occupation forces during four long years of occupation. Their guerilla attacks foiled the plans of the Japanese for a quick takeover of the region and allowed the United States the time needed to prepare to defeat the enemy. 

With the participation of Filipino soldiers so vital to the successful outcome of World War II, it is hard to believe that Congress voted to take away their benefits and recognition that had been promised. As the Senior Democrat on the VA Health Subcommittee, I look forward to this hearing as a step toward addressing the injustices of the past. It is time to restore the dignity of Filipino World War II veterans and to recognize them for their defense of democratic ideals. I invite your readers with an interest in this issue to attend the hearing on Thursday, June 13, at 3:00 p.m.

Sincerely,
Bob Filner (D-CA)
Member of Congress

Dear Congressman Filner:
I find it abhorrent that our great country has turned its back on some of our most loyal and brave veterans. For years the American Legion has passed resolutions urging Congress to rectify this injustice by enacting legislation to provide compensation, pension and health care benefits to Filipino World War II veterans. As you stated on the House floor on March 6, 1997, "it is hard to believe that soon after the war ended, the 79th Congress voted in a way that can only be considered to be blatant discrimination, as they took away the benefits and recognition that the Filipino World War II veterans were promised in what was called the Rescissions Act of 1946. Now more than 50 years have passed since the Rescissions Act, 50 long years during which the Filipino veterans have been waiting for justice. . . . But now is the time to correct the injustices of the 79th Congress. Let the voices be heard at this important hearing, that at least we could provide these patriotic veterans with medical care. Many of these Filipino veterans have already died and in a decade or decade and a half there will no longer be any of these veterans still living."

An additional five years have passed since your cogent remarks, adding to the old adage, "justice delayed is justice denied."

Shaft Kudos
To the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) for using their web site to educate our nation’s veterans -- not about who to vote for, but to identify those elected officials who recognize the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans. Election Day is November 5, 2002. One-third of the Senate, the entire House of Representatives, and 36 governors are up for election. To help veterans understand this year's races, Vietnam Veterans of America has added “Election and Candidates” to its online legislative action center.

You can access this new tool at http://capwiz.com/vva/home/. Simply click on "Election and Candidates," enter your zip code, and a screen will pop up with all the information you need on your representative and his/or running mate for the 2002 elections.

This tool is also useful when establishing your 2002 "Veterans Vote" campaign among family members, organizations, and community groups. To receive a "Veterans Vote" packet from VVA National and/or to order packets for an upcoming meeting, please e-mail Sharon Hodge at shodge@vva.org with the quantity and your complete mailing address. The "Veteran Vote" 2002 packet includes a voters registration form, "Veterans Vote" bumper stickers, "Veteran Vote" pin, and a wide variety of voting material which will enable to you jump start your 2002 "Veterans Vote" campaign.

It is important that veterans and their families hold elected leaders responsible for the offices to which they are elected and for the votes they cast. It is time for new leadership if your elected leader is:

Not aware that, due to lack of funding, veterans are denied access to health care at their local VA hospital or clinic;

Not aware that more than 270,000 veterans are homeless;

Not aware that countless veterans are testing positive for hepatitis C;

Not aware of the long time it takes to process a veterans benefit claims; and/or

Doing nothing to solve these problems.

More than 58,000 men and women died during the Vietnam War. They can't vote. You can. Visit the Vietnam Veterans of America web site to get informed and begin to mobilize your family and friends in support of the 2002 "Veterans Vote" campaign.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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