H.R. 1984House108th Congress (2003-2005)In Committee

Filipino Veterans Fairness Act

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Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

May 21, 2003

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 6, 2003

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E878)

May 6, 2003

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Veterans' Affairs Committee

May 6, 2003

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.

May 21, 2003

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

May 21, 2003

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 1984 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonaldD-CA-37 · May 23, 2003

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to express my support for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Made possible through an act of the United States Congress in 1978, Asian…

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to express my support for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Made possible through an act of the United States Congress in 1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was then expanded into a month long celebration in 1992. The month of May was appropriately chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and the completion of the transcontinental railroad. As we celebrate the 25th year, this May is an excellent opportunity for all Americans to celebrate, honor and reflect on the many accomplishments and contributions of the Asian Pacific American community.

From the transcontinental railroad to the halls of Congress, Asian Pacific Americans have played a major role in the development of our nation with an increasing presence in the Federal government. I would like to acknowledge the many accomplished leaders of Asian descent currently serving our country. In the President's Cabinet alone, we have two prominent leaders, Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, the first Asian Pacific American to serve in the President's Cabinet. Congressman Bob Matsui, Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, is the first Asian Pacific American to serve in the House Democratic leadership. Washington Governor Gary Locke, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, is the first Asian Pacific American to deliver the Democratic response to the President's State of the Union Address.

And of course, one cannot have a discussion about leadership within the Asian Pacific American community without reflecting on the career and accomplishments of my dear friend, the late Congresswoman Patsy Mink. We must continue on in this tradition by encouraging more Asian Pacific Americans to forge ahead in non-traditional sectors as my friend Patsy Mink did. Patsy was a true trailblazer. She was the first Asian Pacific American woman to practice law in Hawaii and the first woman of color elected to Congress. The APA community has come far from its humble beginnings, but there is still much work we need to do.

While APAs as a whole have flourished in the United States, there are still challenges facing certain segments of the community. Recent immigrants and refugees are still working to achieve the American dream. My district is home to Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander populations whose challenges include post-war stress and inadequate job skills. I urge my colleagues not to forget those who are struggling to overcome language and cultural barriers, as well as discrimination.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation that will ensure the Asian Pacific American community continues to thrive. In the 108th Congress, I have introduced the following bills:

H.R. 1984, the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act, provides veteran benefits to the Filipino veterans who fought side by side with American soldiers during World War II. In addition to providing desperately needed health care to veterans, this bill calls for home loan assistance for U.S. based Filipino veterans, educational assistance for U.S. and Philippine based dependents, vocational rehabilitation, and employment services, job counseling, training, and placement services for U.S. based veterans.

H.R. 1486 urges the Secretary of Education to commission a study to examine ways to increase the graduation rate for Native American and Native Hawaiian secondary school students, as well as for students residing in American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

H.R. 1983, the Amerasian Justice Act, will amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate the immigration to the United States of children born in the Philippines or Japan who were fathered by United States citizens. There are now more than 50,000 Amerasian children in the Philippines and 6,000 Amerasian children in Japan burdened by social stigma and psychological stress which affect viable opportunities for employment, education or family life.

H. Con. Res. 83 honors the victims of the Cambodian genocide that took place between 1975 and 1979, and pays tribute to the survivors who made their way to the United States. It also expresses the sense of Congress's commitment to pursue justice for the victims.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a district that reflects America's greatest strength--our rich cultural diversity. As we commemorate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we must celebrate the culture, traditions and achievements of Asian Pacific Americans, but we must also reflect on how to meet the challenges that will face the community in years to come.

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 6, 2003

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1984 Introduced in House (IH)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1984

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits for Filipino
veterans of World War II, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 6, 2003

Ms. Millender-McDonald introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve benefits for Filipino
veterans of World War II, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Filipino Veterans Fairness Act''.

SEC. 2. RATE OF PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS FOR NEW PHILIPPINE SCOUTS
RESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES.

(a) Rate of Payment.--Section 107 of title 38, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in the second sentence of subsection (b), by striking
``Payments'' and inserting ``Except as provided in subsection
(c), payments''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by inserting ``or (b)'' after ``subsection
(a)'' the first place it appears; and
(B) by striking ``subsection (a)'' the second place
it appears and inserting ``the applicable subsection''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply
to benefits paid for months beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 3. RATE OF PAYMENT OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COMPENSATION FOR
SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN FILIPINO VETERANS.

(a) Rate of Payment.--Subsection (c) of section 107 of title 38,
United States Code, as amended by section 2 of this Act, is further
amended by inserting ``, and under chapter 13 of this title,'' after
``chapter 11 of this title''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply
to benefits paid for months beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 4. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN FILIPINO VETERANS FOR DISABILITY
PENSION.

(a) Eligibility.--Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (3) of the first sentence, by
inserting ``15,'' before ``23,''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking
``subsections (c) or (d)'' and inserting ``subsections
(c), (d), or (e)'' ; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2) of the first sentence
and inserting the following new paragraph (2):
``(2) chapters 11, 13 (except section 1312(a)), and 15 of
this title.''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking
``subsection (c)'' and inserting ``subsections (c) and
(e)''.
(b) Rate of Payment.--That section is further amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(e) In the case of benefits under chapter 15 of this title paid
by reason of service described in subsection (a) or (b), if--
``(1) the benefits are paid to an individual residing in
the United States who is a citizen of, or an alien lawfully
admitted for permanent residence in, the United States, the
second sentence of the applicable subsection shall not apply;
and
``(2) the benefits are paid to an individual residing in
the Republic of the Philippines, the benefits shall be paid
(notwithstanding any other provision of law) at the rate of
$100 per month.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply to
benefits for months beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY OF FILIPINO VETERANS FOR HEALTH CARE IN THE UNITED
STATES.

The text of section 1734 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``The Secretary, within the limits of Department facilities, shall
furnish hospital and nursing home care and medical services (including
the types of counseling services described in section 1712A of this
title) to Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine Scouts in the
same manner as provided for under section 1710 of this title.''.

SEC. 6. OUTPATIENT HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS RESIDING IN THE
PHILIPPINES.

(a) In General.--Subchapter IV of chapter 17 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 1735 as section 1736; and
(2) by inserting after section 1734 the following new
section 1735:
``Sec. 1735. Outpatient care and services for World War II veterans
residing in the Philippines
``(a) Outpatient Health Care.--The Secretary shall furnish care and
services to veterans of World War II, Commonwealth Army veterans, and
new Philippine Scouts for the treatment of the service-connected
disabilities and nonservice-connected disabilities of such veterans and
scouts residing in the Republic of the Philippines on an outpatient
basis at the Manila VA Outpatient Clinic.
``(b) Limitations.--(1) The amount expended by the Secretary for
the purpose of subsection (a) in any fiscal year may not exceed
$500,000.
``(2) The authority of the Secretary to furnish care and services
under subsection (a) is effective in any fiscal year only to the extent
that appropriations are available for that purpose.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking the item relating to
section 1735 and inserting after the item relating to section 1734 the
following new items:

``1735. Outpatient care and services for World War II veterans residing
in the Philippines.
``1736. Definitions.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7. ELIGIBILITY FOR HOUSING LOANS.

Section 3701(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) The term `veteran' also includes an individual who is
a Commonwealth Army veteran (as defined in subsection (a) of
section 3566 of this title), or a new Philippine Scout (as
defined in subsection (b) of such section) who resides in the
United States.''.

SEC. 8. EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR SPOUSES AND DEPENDENTS.

(a) Inclusion of Spouses.--Section 3565(a) of title 38, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a) The term `eligible person' as used in section 3501(a)(1) of
this title includes the spouse, surviving spouse, and child of a
Commonwealth Army veteran or a `New' Philippine Scouts in the same
manner as a spouse, surviving spouse, and child of a person who meets
the requirements of service-connected disability or death under such
section, based on service as defined in section 3566 of this title.''.
(b) Increase in Rates Payable for Dependents Residing in the United
States.--Section 3565(b) of such title is amended--
(1) by striking ``children'' in the matter preceding
paragraph (1) and inserting ``a spouse, surviving spouse, or
child'';
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3);
(3) in paragraph (1) by striking ``, and'' and inserting
``in the case of a spouse, surviving spouse, or child residing
in the Philippines,''; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
subparagraph:
``(2) notwithstanding section 3532(d) of this title,
educational assistance allowances authorized by section 3532 of
this title and the special training allowance authorized by
section 3542 of this title shall be paid at the rate of $1.00
for each dollar in the case of a spouse, surviving spouse, or
child residing in the United States, and''.

SEC. 9. ELIGIBILITY FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.

(a) Eligibility.--Section 107 of title 38, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (3) of the first sentence--
(i) by striking ``and 24'' and inserting
``24''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and chapter 31''
before ``of this title'';
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``or (e)''
and inserting ``(e), or (f)''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2) of the first sentence by striking
``and 15'' and inserting ``15, and 31''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``and (e)''
and inserting ``, (e), and (f)''.
(b) Rate of Payment.--That section is further amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(f) In the case of benefits under chapter 31 of this title paid
by reason of service described in subsection (a) or (b), if the
benefits are paid to an individual residing in the United States who is
a citizen of, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in,
the United States, the second sentence of the applicable subsection
shall not apply.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, and shall apply to
benefits for months beginning on or after that date.

SEC. 10. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS FOR JOB COUNSELING, TRAINING, AND
PLACEMENT.

(a) Veterans.--Section 4101(4) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting before the period the following: ``, and includes
a Commonwealth Army veteran (as defined in subsection (a) of section
3566 of this title), or a new Philippine Scout (as defined in
subsection (b) of such section)''.
(b) Dependents.--Section 4104(5) of such title is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
and inserting ``, or'' and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) the spouse or child of a Commonwealth Army
veteran (as defined in subsection (a) of section 3566
of this title), or a new Philippine Scout (as defined
in subsection (b) of such section).''.

SEC. 11. REPRESENTATION ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY VETERANS.

(a) In General.--Section 544 (a)(2) of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) The Secretary shall ensure that at least one member of the
Committee each year is a Commonwealth Army veteran (as defined in
subsection (a) of section 3566 of this title), or a new Philippine
Scout (as defined in subsection (b) of such section).''.
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