Posted by 4U on August 23, 2001 at 12:57:33:
>From: Organization of Chinese Americans
>To: Organization of Chinese Americans
>Subject: OCA SUPPORTS FILIPINO WWII VETS
>Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 11:57:14 -0400
>
>
>Please find included: 1) OCA Press Release regarding resolution
> to support Filipino veterans
> 2) OCA Resolution, passed July 28, 2001
>
>For Immediate Release
>August 22, 2001
>Contact: Giles Li 202-223-5500
> www.ocanatl.org
>
>OCA PASSES RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT FILIPINO WWII VETERANS
>
>Washington, DC - The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)
>National Board passed a resolution at its July meeting at the OCA
>National Convention in Seattle, Washington that urges equal
>treatment and benefits for Filipino veterans who fought for the
>United States during WWII.
>
>The 1946 Rescission Act continues to deny Filipino WWII veterans'
>benefits to this day. They are the only group of alien veterans out of
>a total of 66 countries with this restriction. Filipino soldiers proved
>their loyalty on and off the battlefield, the denial of their benefits is
>made even more egregious by the fact that Filipinos were in fact
>considered United States nationals at the time.
>
>'OCA urges full support to restore the benefits promised to the
>veterans after they fought for the United States Armed Forces,'
>said George M. Ong, OCA National President. 'It is unthinkable
>that those who risked their lives for our country and the ideals it
>upholds have been ignored by the government ever since.'
>
>'The Board and the National Office will work hard to advocate for
>legislation that will rectify the Rescission Act of 1946 and finally
>recognize the contributions that these veterans made to the
>United States,' remarked Christine Chen, OCA Executive
>Director. 'Recognition for these brave soldiers is long overdue,
>how they have been treated can only be described as
>discrimination based on national origin by the United States
>government. This is a long and hard fight and OCA is proud to
>join the struggle.'
>
>- 30 -
>
>
>The Organization of Chinese Americans, a national
>nonprofit, nonpartisan civil rights organization with
>82 chapters and affiliates across the country, was
>founded in 1973 to ensure the civil rights of the
>Asian Pacific American community. It maintains
>its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
>
>==========================================
>
>RESOLUTION URGING FOR THE EQUAL TREATMENT
>OF FILIPINO VETERANS OF WWII
>
>Passed by OCA National Board
>JULY 28, 2001
>
>
>WHEREAS the Filipino World War II veterans are the only
> group of alien veterans out of a total of 66
> countries denied their benefits, and
>
>WHEREAS at the time of war, the Philippines was a United
> States territory and thus the Filipino veterans
> were in fact United States nationals entitled to the
> protections of the Constitution and laws, swearing
> allegiance to the United States Flag and also
> served in the United States Armed Forces of the
> Far East (USAFFE) under the command of General
> Douglas MacArthur, and
>
>WHEREAS history depicts that with the help of the Philippine
> Scouts fighting in the Pacific, the American troops
> were able to better prepare for the final battle
> defeating the Japanese, thus demonstrating that the
> Filipinos' help greatly aided the American efforts
> during WWII, and
>
>WHEREAS the 1946 Rescission Act denied(ies) the Filipino
> Veterans of WWII the right to claim benefits promised
> to them, and
>
>THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Organization of Chinese
> Americans urges full support of the veterans' struggle
> for just benefits due from fighting for and under the
> United States Armed Forces, and
>
>FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Organization of Chinese
> Americans urges all Americans to defend and support
> the cause of the Filipino World War II Veterans, and
> especially all communities which have historically felt
> the pains inflicted upon them from institutional racism, and
>
>FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Organization of Chinese
> Americans advocates for legislation rectifying the
> Rescission Act of 1946 and restoring the veterans' benefits.
>
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