Bob Menendez: “the Veterans' Benefit Enhancement Act we are debating contains a number of important benefits to provide for our…”

“the Veterans' Benefit Enhancement Act we are debating contains a number of important benefits to provide for our veterans. It would expand eligibility for traumatic injury insurance, provide job training, and help disabled veterans make their homes more accessible. That is all worthy. There is also another issue. In 1941, President Roosevelt called on the people of the Philippines to fight for their freedom and ours, and thousands of brave Filipinos answered the call. They carried out operations to liberate their homeland and joined us in support of our efforts in the Pacific theater. They fought and died at Corregidor, they were with us on the beaches of Bataan, and in the death marches. They were there when General MacArthur promised he would return, they fought using guerrilla tactics to tie down the Japanese, and they fought under General MacArthur when he came back and said, ``I have returned.'' Throughout the war, Filipino soldiers fought under the American flag, serving with valor, strength, and dignity. President Roosevelt guaranteed those brave soldiers that the United States would come to their aid in times of peace, just as they had come to our aid during times of war. He guaranteed them equal veterans' benefits--a fair promise, considering their service and considering the law of the land, as they were full members of the U.S. military.”