Filipino WWII vets get support from US lawmaker

Rounding out the list of Nevada legislators supporting Filipino-American veterans of World War II, US Representative Mark Amodei said he will co-sponsor a bill that will give these former soldiers recognition.

Buoyed by the legislator’s support, the Filipino-American Veterans of Nevada (FAVN) said it will continue to ask the last remaining legislator in the state, Senator Dean Heller for his support.

“We are happy that Congressman Mark Amodei has finally signed on. We wanted to really have strong support from the Republican party.” FAVN founder and president Cesar Elpidio told a media conference in Las Vegas last February 17.

“We’re still going to work on Senator Heller to introduce a Senate companion bill (to House Resolution 210). We are awaiting a meeting with him and be able to finalize where he stands,” he added.

In a statement issued last February 17, Almodei said, “These brave veterans courageously served the cause of freedom in the US Army and earned their benefits.”

“I thank them for their service and am pleased to cosponsor this legislation on behalf of the Filipino-American community,” the representative of Nevada’s second congressional district added.

Amodei is the 88^th member of Congress who supports House Resolution 210 or the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011.

FAVN said Amodei’s support is particularly important since he is a member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Two other representatives from Nevada, Representative Shelley Berkeley of the first district and Representative Joe Heck of the third district have earlier given their support to the pending legislation.

At a recent FAVN-sponsored public rally, US Representative Ron Paul of Texas’ 14^th district also committed to support HR 210.

“As congressman and if to be elected president, I will be a strong advocate of HR 210 to make sure there is fairness and that full benefits are given to those (veterans) of World War II,” Paul, who is a Republican presidential candidate, said at the Las Vegas rally.

Las Vegas is home to six Filipino veterans of World War II. These former soldiers are among the 24,000 Filipino veterans whose claims for compensation were turned down because their names were not on a roster used by the US government to determine who served in World War II.

While these veterans had proof of US military service from the Philippine government, their names were not included in the National Records Center list also known as the Missouri List.

HR 210, filed last January 6 by CA Representative Jackie Spier, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs “to take into account any relevant service documentation, including documentation other than the Missouri List or the list of all discharged and deceased veterans from the 20th century.”

Meanwhile, the media conference last February 17 was graced by Brig. Gen. Cesar Poblete, of retired member of the Philippine Air Force. Poblete, who once represented the Philippine government at Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s funeral, is also one of 24,000 Filipinos who have been denied compensation for services given in World War II.

“I’m glad to have served my country for 30 years and I’m glad I am here,” Poblete, who is now a Nevada resident, told media during the conference. Dymphna Calica-La Putt and Robert Macabagdal/AJPress