Veterans Rights
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posted 27 May 2007 |
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FILIPINO VETERANS FAMILY REUNIFICATION ACT |
Senate Approves
Akaka Amendment to Immigration Bill
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI)
is pleased to announce that his “Filipino Veterans
Family Reunification Act” (S.AMDT.1186) was agreed to
today by the full Senate as an amendment to the
immigration bill. The final vote was 87-9. The amendment
was cosponsored by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV),
Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL), fellow Hawaii
Senator Daniel Inouye (D), and Senators Barbara Boxer
(D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
The debate over the full immigration bill is expected to
continue into early next month.
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“I am extremely pleased that my colleagues in the Senate
saw fit to join me in honoring these brave Filipino
veterans who fought alongside American troops to achieve
victory in World War II,” said Senator Akaka. “It would
be a great final honor for these heroes to be joined and
cared for by their adult children as they move through
their golden years. Today’s vote is dedicated to the
valiant service these Filipino veterans provided of
behalf of our great country.”
We owe a great debt of gratitude to all veterans who
sacrifice for our country,” Majority Leader Reid said.
“This bill finally and formally honors the service of
all Filipino veterans of World War II and corrects an
injustice more than 60 years old. We are grateful for
the service of these brave men and are proud to ensure
that all, not just some, Filipino veterans can enjoy the
equal benefits they have earned.” |
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Sen Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) |
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“Filipino veterans served alongside U.S. soldiers,
jointly leading us to victory in WWII,” Majority Whip
Durbin said. “Extending immigration rights to the
children of these brave soldiers is an important way we
can honor their service to America.”
Senator Inouye said: “I am pleased that the overwhelming
majority of my colleagues voted in favor of this
amendment. By doing so, we have taken a major step
forward in rectifying a major wrong that has been done
to Filipino veterans who bravely fought alongside
American servicemen during World War II. They fought
under U.S. command to defend their homeland and to
protect U.S. interests, and, finally, in 1990, these
Filipino veterans were offered the opportunity to gain
U.S. citizenship. This benefit, however, was not
extended to their sons and daughters, and many have
waited for many years, as part of a huge immigration
backlog, to be reunited with their fathers, who are now
in their 80s and 90s. Senator Akaka’s amendment will
expedite the reunification of loved ones, and honor our
commitment to Filipino veterans of World War II.”
“This bill honors the sacrifice of veterans who fought
alongside American soldiers by allowing them to reunite
with their loved ones,” said Senator Murray. “It’s a way
of showing our appreciation and providing justice to
those whose sacrifices helped ensure our freedom.”
“Our Filipino veterans have made tremendous sacrifices
in our nation’s defense so that later generations could
thrive in freedom and prosperity,” said Senator
Cantwell. “Their own children deserve access to that
same American dream, and they deserve to be reunited
with their children. As a nation, we have a distinct and
important responsibility to make sure service members,
veterans, and their families receive the benefits, the
care, and the recognition they have earned and so
greatly deserve.”
Senator Akaka’s Senate Floor Statement introducing the
amendment can be found at:
http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Home&month=5&year=2007&release_id=1721
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