Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 258 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States Congress to enact into law S. 68 to extend full and equitable benefits to Filipino veterans of World War II and their surviving spouses.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Office of Veterans Services, WWII Fil-Am Veterans, and thirty-three individuals.

This measure requests the U.S. Congress to increase the rate of compensation benefits and make available full disability pensions for certain Filipino veterans of World War II, and to increase the rate of payment of dependency and indemnity compensation for their surviving spouses. Your Committee finds that Filipino veterans have been discriminated against by the Rescission Act of 1946, which denied them these benefits that their American counterparts continue to receive. Your Committee further finds that Filipino veterans fought honorably for the United States in World War II and deserve this recognition for their loyalty and valor.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 258, and recommends its adoption.