US Senate Approves Bill Honoring Filipino Veterans

US Senate approves Congressional Gold Medal bill for Filipino WWII vets

The U.S. Senate has passed a bill authored by Sen. Mazie Hirono to make it possible for more than 260,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans, including 300 from Hawaii, to receive the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow -- the Congressional Gold Medal.

US Senate approves Congressional Gold Medal bill for Filipino WWII veterans.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, author of a companion measure in the U.S. House, said she hopes to gather enough support to send the legislation to President Barack Obama before the end of the year. Following the Senate's action, Gabbard said House rules require the measure to have 290 co-sponsors before it can be considered. So far, Gabbard has been able to persuade 180 House members to support the bill. "More than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers responded to President Roosevelt's call to duty and fought under our American flag during World War II," Gabbard said. "With just 18,000 Filipino WWII veterans alive today, time is truly of the essence to honor these courageous men with the long overdue recognition they deserve. We've made tremendous progress over the past year to gather bipartisan support from lawmakers for this legislation."

Per S.1555 - Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015:

Passed Senate without amendment (07/13/2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill defines "Filipino Veterans of World War II" to include an individual who served:

• honorably at any time from July 26, 1941, to December 31, 1946;
• in an active-duty status under the command of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East; and
• within the Philippine Commonwealth Army, the Philippine Scouts, the Philippine Constabulary, Recognized Guerrilla units, the New Philippine Scouts, the First Filipino Infantry Regiment, the Second Filipino Infantry Battalion (Separate), or the First Reconnaissance Battalion; or
• commanding or serving in such a unit as a U.S. military officer or enlisted soldier.

(Sec. 4) The President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

The medal, following its award, shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it will be available for research and display.

It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal available for display elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations associated with the Filipino Veterans of World War II.