VA chief backs health benefits for Filipinos who fought for United States

From: Otis Willie moderatingstaff@instruction.com
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2002 11:51 AM
Subject: [vetissues] VA chief backs health benefits for Filipinos who fought for U.S., by Toby Eckert

VA chief backs health benefits for Filipinos who fought for U.S., by Toby Eckert

(EXCERPT) COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

June 12, 2002

WASHINGTON – Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi yesterday endorsed extending federal health care benefits to Filipinos who fought for the United States during World War II.

The move falls short of the full benefits, including pensions, that backers of the veterans have long sought. But lawmakers said the Bush administration's support for even the more modest package was a breakthrough.

"This is a step toward full equity," said Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, who is sponsoring legislation that would grant the health care benefits. "We'll have to look at things like (pensions) after we get the passage of this bill."

"Even today, you see the Filipinos supporting the United States in its fight against al-Qaeda. When we've asked them to, they've fought side, By side. For too long we have promised the Philippines that we would do this," said Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Escondido, a co-sponsor.

California is home to the largest concentration of Filipino veterans of World War II.

More than 140,000 Filipino soldiers fought against the Japanese under a 1941 executive order from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The Philippines were a U.S. territory at the time.

But Filipinos were deprived of full U.S. veterans benefits un...

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