Bob Filner: “Mr. Speaker, we have all been here this afternoon talking about honoring our World War II veterans, the greatest…”

“Mr. Speaker, we have all been here this afternoon talking about honoring our World War II veterans, the greatest generation. We have all talked about how long it has taken to honor these veterans, how many have died, even in the planning process. Mr. Speaker, there is one group of veterans of World War II that has waited 55 years to be honored. This Congress can proceed to do so. The previous speaker, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), and I have introduced legislation called the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act.'' In 1941, this country drafted all of the regular and irregular forces of the Philippine army and guerilla units. They fought in World War II. They held up the advance of the Japanese army. They surrendered with our forces at Bataan, suffered through the Bataan Death March, bravely defended our last forces at Corregidor. They stopped the Japanese timetable for many, many months, allowed us to regroup, and allowed MacArthur time eventually to return and take back the Philippines. Yet, in 1946 this country, this Congress in 1946, decided to take away all the veterans' benefits that were promised to these brave heroes of World War II. It has been 55 years since that action was taken. It is time to restore the honor and dignity of the Filipino veterans. It is time to give them back the honor and the benefits that we promised but just took away.”