H.Res. 313House109th Congress (2005-2007)In Committee

Urging the President to authorize the transfer of ownership of one of the bells taken from the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar, Philippines, which are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, to the people of the Philippines.

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Readiness Subcommittee

July 26, 2005

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 13, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

June 13, 2005

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1218)

June 14, 2005

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

Readiness Subcommittee

July 26, 2005

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Res. 313 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Bob FilnerD-CA-51 · Jun 14, 2005

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to speak about my resolution, H. Res. 313, which urges the President to authorize the transfer of ownership to the Philippines of one of the bells taken in…

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to speak about my resolution, H. Res. 313, which urges the President to authorize the transfer of ownership to the Philippines of one of the bells taken in 1901 from the town of Balangiga in the Philippines. The bells are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

In the 100 years since the taking of the bells occurred, the citizens of the United States and the Philippines have shared many historic and political ties. The Philippines was a staunch ally of the United States during World War II. Brave Filipino soldiers were drafted into service by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, fought side-by-side with American soldiers, and were instrumental in the successful outcome of World War II. Filipino soldiers also fought alongside our soldiers on the battlefields of Korea and Vietnam.

Since the independence of the Philippines in 1946, the U.S.- Philippine relationship has been largely one of friendship and cooperation. The Philippines is a republic patterned basically on our own system of government. The Philippines is a valuable trading partner of the U.S. and an ally in the war against terrorism. Approximately two million Americans are of Filipino descent and close to 130,000 United States citizens reside in the Philippines. The acts of conflict that surrounded the taking of the bells of Balangiga are not consistent with the friendship that is currently an integral part of the relationship between our two nations.

The Republic of the Philippines has repeatedly requested the return of the bells. They are an important symbol to the Filipino people, who wish to have them re-installed in the belfry of the Balangiga Church. I believe that it is time to resolve this situation in order to solidify the bonds between our two nations. My resolution would honor and promote the positive relationship our countries enjoy.

A compromise measure has been suggested to return one of the bells, as my resolution calls for, and to create two replica bells--one for each country. This compromise would satisfy most Filipino veterans.

As the years pass, I am confident that relations between our two nations will grow even stronger. To that end, the United States Government, which has final disposition over the Bells of Balangiga, should transfer ownership of one of the bells to the people of the Philippines as a measure of good will and cooperation. I urge the passage of my resolution.

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 13, 2005

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 313

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 13, 2005

Mr. Filner submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

RESOLUTION

Urging the President to authorize the transfer of ownership of one of the bells taken from the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar, Philippines, which are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, to the people of the Philippines.

Whereas the United States of America and the citizens of the Republic of the Philippines have shared historic and political ties for over 100 years;

Whereas the acquisition of the Philippines in 1898 ushered in unprecedented American influence in the affairs of the Asia-Pacific region;

Whereas at the onset of the acquisition of the Philippines, armed conflict occurred between the Americans and the Filipinos;

Whereas during the course of that conflict, a particularly noteworthy incident occurred on the island of Samar in 1901;

Whereas that incident involved the ringing of the church bells of the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar to signal the outbreak of fighting;

Whereas units of the United States Armed Forces confiscated the bells of Balangiga and brought them to the United States as war trophies;

Whereas these units were stationed at Fort D.A. Russell in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which subsequently became the current F.E. Warren Air Force Base, where the bells of Balangiga have since remained;

Whereas the acts of conflict and cruelty that surrounded the bells of Balangiga are not consistent with the friendship and cooperation that have been an integral part of the relationship between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America;

Whereas Filipino soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with American troops on the battlefields of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam;

Whereas the bells of Balangiga should more properly serve as a symbol of friendship and cooperation and not of unfortunate misunderstanding and conflict;

Whereas the Republic of the Philippines has repeatedly requested the return of the bells;

Whereas a recent proposal provides a means for both countries to mutually share in the heritage that the bells of Balangiga represent, enabling both countries to retain an original and a duplicate bell; and

Whereas the United States holds supportable legal title to the bells recognizable under international law and the United States Government has final disposition over the bells of Balangiga: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives urges the President to authorize the transfer of ownership of one of the bells taken from the town of Balangiga on the island of Samar, Philippines, which are currently displayed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, to the people of the Philippines as a measure of friendship, good will, and cooperation.