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WASHINGTON D.C. -- (UPDATE) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has conferred the "Order of the Golden Heart" to five American legislators here, who have been supportive of a bill seeking pension benefits for Filipino veterans during World War II.
Senator Daniel Akaka, chairman of the veterans affairs committee, Senator Harry Reid; US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, and Congressmen Darrel Issa and Bob Filner are the recipients of the Golden Heart with the rank of "grand cross."
Arroyo is here to lobby, among others, the passage of the bill at the House of Representatives before Congress goes on recess this week.
The proposed legislation was passed in the Senate, with a vote of 96-1, last April.
"The order of the Golden Heart represents our nation's humble way of recognizing those who help give life to the noble aspirations of the Filipino people," Arroyo said in her speech.
"The Golden Heart award is given to those with the golden heart, one that radiates hope for our nation and our people," she said.
"On behalf of the 85 million Filipinos and their families and friends, who make up the four million Filipino-American community, thank you for continuing the deep friendship," she said.
Arroyo talked anew about the close and special ties between the two countries, citing a recent poll by the British Broadcasting Corp., which showed that Filipinos were the most supportive nation of the US in the world.
In his acceptance speech, Issa gave the President an American flag hoisted at the US Capitol Hill to show sympathy to the ferry tragedy in the Philippines.
"Today, because of the tragedy in the Philippines, we took the time to fly a flag over the Capitol in honor, memoirs, and prayers for the men and women either lost, recovered or trapped still on that ferry," he said.
"I know the rescue is still underway so it's not a very good gift packaging under the House rules but it is the flag that was flown today over the Capitol for that reason," the congressman added.
In response to this, Arroyo thanked Issa and everyone in the Capitol, who had expressed sympathy for the victims of the sunken ship.
"We do appreciate how you [Issa] care about our Filipinos and we do hope as you have said that we will find more survivors and thank you for all the support you have given," the President said.
"And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody here in the Capitol, who has expressed sympathy and who has also provided support for our efforts now in the Philippines. We are very happy we have so many friends here in Washington," she added.
