Gordon thanks US lawmakers for FilVets' recognition and benefits

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon has personally expressed his gratitude and that of thousands of Filipino World War II veterans to the United States (US) senators and congressmen who championed the Filipino veterans in their cause.

On behalf of the surviving Filipino veterans who are set to receive lump sum benefits from the US government, Gordon wrote to Senators Daniel K. Inouye, Harry Reid and Daniel K. Akaka thanking them for helping the Philippine government in getting recognition and honor for the veterans.

He also wrote to Congressmen Robert Filner, Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda for their valuable aid in turning the dream of Filipuno veterans into a reality.

"We congratulate you on the approval of the Conference Report on the proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, otherwise known as the Economic Stimulus Bill, which included the provision for the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund," Gordon said.

"We particularly appreciate how you worked with us through the years, how you listened to us when others were indifferent, how you brought others to support the cause and never stopped until the goal was won," he added.

The economic stimulus bill that US President Barack Obama signed into law last week contained provisions granting recognition and benefits to some estimated 13, 000 Filipino veterans who fought alongside American soldiers in the WWII.

The Filipino Veterans' Equity provision provided a tax-free $15,000 for each of the Filipino veterans who are US citizens and $9,000 for each of non-US citizens, mostly living in the Philippines .

For years, the passage of the Filipino WWII Veterans Equity bill had been thwarted in the US Congress by US lawmakers who demanded equal responsibility.

The granting of benefits by the US government, according to previous Filipino laws, would cancel out benefits being granted by the Filipino government.

To remedy this, Gordon authored Senate Bill 142 which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law and became Republic Act (RA) 9499 on Oct. 2, 2007 and amended RA 6948.

RA 9499 allowed Filipino veterans to continue receiving pensions and benefits from the Philippine government without rescinding similar benefits from the US government.

He also lobbied in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives for the passage of an equity bill which could remove much of the stain and dishonor done by the US government to the dignity and true sacrifices of Filipino WWII veterans and of the Philippines as a nation.

Gordon stressed that more than any financial consideration, the passage of the bill gives justice to the Filipino veterans who, out of 66 countries that fought with the US in WWII, were the only ones not given recognition for their contributions and accorded US veterans status.

"More than the monetary reward, you have given happiness to our veterans who are already in their twilight years, and are only being recognized by Americans for all their valor and sacrifice," he said.