THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	47
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO SUPPORT S.57 AND H.R.760, ENTITLED THE FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY ACT OF 2007.

     WHEREAS, on January 4, 2007, Senator Daniel K. Inouye introduced S.57 in the United States Senate, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which was referred to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, on January 31, 2007, United States Representative Filner, on behalf of Representatives Neil Abercrombie and Mazie Hirono, along with other members, introduced H.R.760 in the United States House of Representatives, which was referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, the short title of S.57 and H.R.760 is the "Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007"; and

     WHEREAS, S.57 and H.R.760, would amend title 38, United States Code, to deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been on active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and

     WHEREAS, S.57 and H.R.760, in recognition of the courage and loyalty of the Filipino troops who fought along side America's Armed Forces in the Philippines during World War II would in the final analysis, make health benefits available to more of these qualified Filipino veterans; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii community, particularly the Hawaii-Filipino community cared for and earnestly supported the Filipino veterans of World War II since their arrival in 1992, triggering an awareness in the community that Filipino veterans should be recognized for their selfless service to this nation; and should receive veterans' benefits; and

     WHEREAS, there are less than 70,000 Filipino veterans still alive and that the number of veterans is rapidly declining due to their age, as many of them are now in their eighties; and

     WHEREAS, despite continuing initiatives and support by the local Filipino community, the Hawaii Congressional delegation, the Hawaii State Legislature, and the Governor, the quest for Filipino veterans' benefits has remained illusive; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, the House of Representatives concurring, that the President of the United States and the United States Congress are urged to support the passage of S.57 and H.R.760; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation, and the President of the Filipino-American Veterans, Hawaii Chapter.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Filipino Veterans Equity Act of 2007