Philippine House Veterans Committee Delegation Meets with Key Supporters of Filipino Veterans Equity Bill
15 April 2008. Congressman
Antonio Diaz, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Welfare Committee of
the Philippine House of Representatives, along with his delegation was
accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to the United States of America
Willy C. Gaa to Capitol Hill today to meet with U.S. Senators Daniel
Inouye (D, Hawaii) and Ted Stevens (R, Alaska) to discuss the issue of
the Filipino WWII veterans equity bill.
Senators Inouye and Stevens are senior members of the Democratic and
Republican party, respectively, and have been staunch supporters of the
cause of the Filipino WWII veterans to achieve recognition and receive
just compensation and benefits for their services and sacrifices while
fighting under the U.S. flag for freedom and democracy.
Senators Inouye and Stevens told the delegation that the United States
recognizes that it has a debt and obligation to these veterans and
reiterated their commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure that they
are properly recognized for their services and that due benefits will be
accorded to them.
Congressman Diaz expressed hope that the United States would again
demonstrate its sense of fairness and recognize its indebtedness to the
Filipino WWII veterans. The delegation informed both U.S. Senators that
Filipino veterans based in the Philippines should at least be provided
with benefits that would be considered fair and just. Hopefully, this
message will allow the U.S. Senate to work out an acceptable compromise
that would be beneficial to all concerned.
Accompanying Congressman Diaz on this official visit to Washington D.C.
are Committee members Congressman Rozzano Rufino Biazon and Congressman
Roman Romulo, along with PVAO Administrator Ernesto Carolina and
Veterans Federation of the Philippines Vice President Justice (Ret.)
Manuel Pamaran. During their stay, the delegation is expected to meet
other key supporters in the U.S. Congress, officials form the U.S.
Veterans Administration and leaders and representatives of the Filipino
American community who have been most supportive of the Filipino WWII
veterans’ struggle to achieve justice. END.
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PHOTO: (Left) The Philippine House Committee on Veterans Affairs Delegation led by Congressman Antonio Diaz meets with U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye (D, Hawaii) and Ted Stevens (R, Alaska) at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. (Right) L-R Ambassador Willy C. Gaa, Congressman Roman Romulo, Congressman Antonio Diaz, Senator Ted Stevens, Senator Daniel Inouye, Congressman Rozzano Rufino Biazon and Justice (Ret.) Manuel Pamaran