Political Quotes

“I support H.R. 4635, particularly title V dealing with Filipino veterans benefits improvements. I commend Mr. Filner and Mr. Gilman for their tireless efforts on this issue and their leadership in this long struggle for Filipino veterans equity. H.R. 4635 will correct some of the injustices inflicted on the Filipino soldiers who fought courageously under U.S. command during World War II. It will provide full compensation for service related disabilities for Filipino veterans who are living permanently and legally in the United States. These veterans would receive the full dollar amount in benefits, rather than the ``peso-rate standard'' of 50 cents to the dollar. Filipino veterans deserve full compensation like all other U.S. veterans. Today, there are about 17,000 Filipino veterans who are U.S. citizens, and about 1,250 of these currently receive Veterans Affairs compensation for service-connected disabilities. Full compensation would be a long awaited victory for them. In addition, H.R. 4635 will expand health services to those already receiving compensation for service connected disabilities in the U.S. so that they can be seen for all medical care. To the fullest extent possible, veterans residing in the Philippines who enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces would be able benefit from this expansion of health services as well. The remedy of full compensation is long overdue.”