Brief Description: Asking that the federal government provide veterans' benefits owed to Filipino veterans.

Sponsors: Senators Prentice, Rockefeller, Berkey, Weinstein, Kauffman, Marr, Oemig, Kline, Hobbs, Murray, Poulsen, Rasmussen, Kastama, Shin, Franklin, Hatfield, Sheldon, Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen, Fraser, Pridemore and Kilmer.

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections
House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Background: During World War II, 200,000 to 300,000 Filipinos were conscripted by President Roosevelt to serve in the United States military. The First Supplemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act, passed in 1946, declared that Philippine soldiers who served the United States during World War II could not be deemed veterans for the purpose of most United States veterans benefits. As a result, many Philippine veterans of World War II are statutorily ineligible for United States veterans benefits, except for certain service-connected disability and death benefits.

Summary: The Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington petition the President and Congress of the United States to amend the Rescission Act of 1946 to restore to Filipino veterans full United States veteran status with military benefits. The Memorial also petitions the President and Congress to give priority in the issuance of immigrant visas to the descendants of Filipino World War II veterans.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      41   0
House      94   0