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NAFFAA Calls on Congress to End 61 Years of InjusticeFebruary 21, 2007 WASHINGTON–(U.S. ASIAN WIRE)--“I’m here today to fulfill a pledge to continue the fight for the passage of the Filipino Veterans Equity bill,” NaFFAA National Chair Alma Q. Kern told members of the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs, which held a hearing February 15 on the Equity Act of 2007. “The time is here, now, to show the whole world that this country does not forget the courage and bravery of those who fought for its freedom.” 
Recalling NaFFAA’s rallying cry of ‘Panahon Na’ during its founding convention in 1997, Kerns – who is a leading member of the newly-formed National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE) – recounted the efforts of several grassroots advocacy groups over the years. “We have worked closely with Filipino veterans, civil rights organizations and community leaders to press Congress to rectify a grievous error in judgment,” Kern said, noting that this month marks the 61st anniversary of “a betrayal that was shamefully enacted by the 1946 Rescission Act.” In response to Kern and her co-panelists – Franco Arcebal of the American Coalition of Filipino Veterans, Lou Tancinco of the National Network of Veterans Equity, and Susan Dilkes of the Filipino American Services Group – Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA 51st), chairman of the Veterans Affairs committee, thanked them for keeping the veterans issue alive. “Ever since first being elected to Congress in 1992, I have been very involved in the Filipino veterans’ equity issue,” Filner said in his opening statement. “In fact, this year marks the 10-year anniversary of my protest, along with Filipino veterans, in front of the White House demanding equitable treatment. I am hoping that with the change of leadership here in Congress, we can get past the demonstrations and protest marches and get on the legislative path to correct the injustice inflicted on Filipino veterans over 60 years ago.” The congressman from San Diego and the veterans had chained themselves to the White House fence and were charged with civil disobedience. The protest action was part of “The Second Death March” staged by more than 2,000 Filipino American community leaders and veterans in August 1997. It was the highlight of NaFFAA’s birth as a national organization for political empowerment. “I am continuing the fight to restore all benefits to all Filipino World War II veterans, living both in the United States and in the Philippines,” he told the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity last December. At that meeting, he vowed to get the bill passed in the House by the end of March. At the hearing, he reiterated his intention to move quickly by scheduling a mark-up session in a few weeks. Also testifying at this historic event were Col. Romeo Monteyro, PA (ret.), spokesman for the Filipino World War II Veterans Federation of San Diego County, and Lt. Col. Edwin Price Ramsey, AUS (ret.). A congressional panel included Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA15th), chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam). Charge d’Affaires Carlos Sorreta spoke on behalf of the Philippine Embassy while Deputy Under Secretary Ronald Aument testified for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. The American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans of America also provided testimonies. When it was filed last month, H.R. 760 had already 11 co-sponsors. Additional supporters have signed on since, including House members of the Florida delegation: Kendrick Meek (D-17th), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-18th), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-21st), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-25th), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-20th). Ernie Ramos, NaFFAA Southern Regional Chair and co-chair of NaFFAA’s veterans committee, is spearheading the organization’s outreach efforts to secure the 218 sponsors needed to pass the bill. “I urge everyone in our community to contact their U.S. representatives in the next few days,” he said. “Unless they hear from their own constituents directly, our lawmakers will not move on this bill.” Before and after the hearings, Kern, NaFFAA Vice Chair Rozita Lee, Exec. Director Armando Heredia and Communications Director Jon Melegrito joined NAFVE leaders in a series of visits to congressional offices. They met personally with Rep. Mike Honda, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV-01), and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) who assured them of his plan to hold hearings on S. 57 within a few weeks. S. 57, the senate companion bill, has currently four sponsors. “We have our work cut out for us, as NaFFAA regional and state chairs” says Kern. “I’m heartened that we have a National Alliance that will our pool our resources together and use our collective strength to win full equity for our Filipino veterans this year!” For more information on the campaign, see www.nationalfilvets.org.
About NaFFAA NaFFAA's national office is based in Washington, D.C. Its main function is to monitor legislation and public policy issues affecting Filipino Americans and work in coalition with other national groups around common issues and concerns. In addition, the national office serves as a communications link between affiliate members as well as an information source on federal and legislative initiatives and policies relevant to Filipino Americans.
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