US Senate recognizes RP WWII veterans
The United States Senate has adopted by unanimous consent Senate Resolution 307 that recognizes and honors the Filipino World War II veterans.
The resolution was introduced during the First Session of the 109th Congress by Virginia Senator George Allen and co-sponsored by Senators John Warner (R-Virginia), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Barbara Boxer (D-California), Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).
"Whereas the contributions of the Filipino people, and the sacrifices of their soldiers in World War II, have not been fully recognized: Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate reaffirms, recognizes, and honors the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of American democracy and their important contribution to the victorious outcome of World War II," the US Senate said in its resolution.’’
The resolution follows in full:
‘’In introducing the resolution, the US senators recalled that in 1898, the Philippines Archipelago was acquired by the United States of America, became an organized United States territory in 1902, and, in preparation for her independence, a self-governing commonwealth in 1935.
They pointed out that the people of the Philippines and of the United States developed strong ties throughout the decades-long democratic transition of the island, compelling the United States to assume the responsibilities of defending the archipelago and protecting the people of the Philippines.
On July 26, 1941, anticipating the aggression of Japanese invasion forces in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the imminent conflict between the United States and Japan, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order, calling the organized military forces of the Government of Commonwealth of the Philippines into armed service under the command of United States Army officers led by General Douglas MacArthur.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Government began a devastating four-year war with the United States with their stealth bombing attacks of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Clark Air Field, Philippines, and led to the loss of tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers and countless civilian casualties.
On February 20, 1946, then President Harry Truman stated, ‘Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that status until July 4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under most difficult conditions. I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of the Philippine Army veterans.’
On October 17, 1996, President William J. Clinton issued a proclamation on the anniversary of the 1944 return of United States forces under General MacArthur to liberate the Philippines and said, ‘I urge all Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of Filipino Veterans of World War II and honor them for their contribution to our freedom.’
On July 26, 2001, President George W. Bush, in his greetings to the Filipino WWII veterans said, ‘More than 120,000 Filipinos fought with unwavering loyalty and great gallantry under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The combined United States-Philippine forces distinguished themselves by their valor and heroism in defense of freedom and democracy.’
Thousands of Filipino soldiers gave their lives in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor. These soldiers won for the United States the precious time needed to disrupt the enemy’s plan for conquest in the Pacific. During the three long years following these battles, the Filipino people valiantly resisted a brutal Japanese occupation with an indomitable spirit and steadfast loyalty to America.’’
The resolution was introduced during the First Session of the 109th Congress by Virginia Senator George Allen and co-sponsored by Senators John Warner (R-Virginia), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Barbara Boxer (D-California), Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).
"Whereas the contributions of the Filipino people, and the sacrifices of their soldiers in World War II, have not been fully recognized: Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate reaffirms, recognizes, and honors the Filipino World War II veterans for their defense of American democracy and their important contribution to the victorious outcome of World War II," the US Senate said in its resolution.’’
The resolution follows in full:
‘’In introducing the resolution, the US senators recalled that in 1898, the Philippines Archipelago was acquired by the United States of America, became an organized United States territory in 1902, and, in preparation for her independence, a self-governing commonwealth in 1935.
They pointed out that the people of the Philippines and of the United States developed strong ties throughout the decades-long democratic transition of the island, compelling the United States to assume the responsibilities of defending the archipelago and protecting the people of the Philippines.
On July 26, 1941, anticipating the aggression of Japanese invasion forces in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the imminent conflict between the United States and Japan, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a military order, calling the organized military forces of the Government of Commonwealth of the Philippines into armed service under the command of United States Army officers led by General Douglas MacArthur.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Government began a devastating four-year war with the United States with their stealth bombing attacks of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Clark Air Field, Philippines, and led to the loss of tens of thousands of American and Filipino soldiers and countless civilian casualties.
On February 20, 1946, then President Harry Truman stated, ‘Philippine Army veterans are nationals of the United States and will continue in that status until July 4, 1946. They fought, as American nationals, under the American flag, and under the direction of our military leaders. They fought with gallantry and courage under most difficult conditions. I consider it a moral obligation of the United States to look after the welfare of the Philippine Army veterans.’
On October 17, 1996, President William J. Clinton issued a proclamation on the anniversary of the 1944 return of United States forces under General MacArthur to liberate the Philippines and said, ‘I urge all Americans to recall the courage, sacrifice, and loyalty of Filipino Veterans of World War II and honor them for their contribution to our freedom.’
On July 26, 2001, President George W. Bush, in his greetings to the Filipino WWII veterans said, ‘More than 120,000 Filipinos fought with unwavering loyalty and great gallantry under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The combined United States-Philippine forces distinguished themselves by their valor and heroism in defense of freedom and democracy.’
Thousands of Filipino soldiers gave their lives in the battles of Bataan and Corregidor. These soldiers won for the United States the precious time needed to disrupt the enemy’s plan for conquest in the Pacific. During the three long years following these battles, the Filipino people valiantly resisted a brutal Japanese occupation with an indomitable spirit and steadfast loyalty to America.’’
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