NAFVE launched its campaign, dubbed the “National Action Alert,” on the 66th anniversary when President Roosevelt issued the military order calling all organized military forces of the Philippine government into the service of the United States Army in the Far East (USAFE). The President issued the order on July 26, 1941, a few months before he declared war on Japan which treacherously attacked Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941.

The promise by the US President to give the Filipino soldiers full recognition and benefits was rescinded after the war with the passage by Congress of the Rescission Act of 1946.

Lillian Galedo, NAFVE co-chair, said that on that date there were 250,000 Filipino soldiers who were called into service. “Today, sixty-six years later, only 18,000 are left and time is of the essence to pass the bill and give them the recognition their bravery and selfless service deserve."

The Alert called on individuals to contact members of Congress before the August recess to call on their support for the bill. On Monday, July 30 and Tuesday, July 31, the Action Alert calls for Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Veterans Committee Chairman Bob Filner to bring the bill to the floor.

NAFVE and NaFFAA members have played a key role in working with members of Congress to move the bill forward.

NAFVE members like Col. Romy Monteyro with the Filipino WWII Veterans Foundation of San Diego County and Susan Dilkes with Filipino American Service Group, Inc., have met personally with Congress members such as House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Bob Filner and Assistant to the Speaker Xavier Becerra to move this bill forward.  The National Alliance represents over 20 local, national and international organizations committed to securing full equity for Filipino World War II Veterans. More information about NAFVE and the Filipino Veterans Equity Act is available on the NAFVE Web site: www.nafve.org.

ACFV officers and members late last month visited Congress to thanked their Senators, House members and legislative staff for the progress on their equity pension and family bills.

“We are happy we won commitments from our senators and congress members to quickly pass our bills...hopefully in September,” said Jose Nuega, 81, president of the Sacramento-based Association of Filipino American Veterans and Families. Nuega, a WWII Purple Heart medal recipient, joined three dozen coalition leaders for two “action days” of lobbying.

They visited the offices and met the key staff of Sens. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Larry Craig (R-ID), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barack Obama (D-IL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and others.

In the House, they consulted with the legislative counsel of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose CA), who briefed them on the positive prospects of Filipino Veterans Family Reunification bill H.R. 1287 of Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).

The ACFV leaders also were guests at the reception of the Philippine Congressional Caucus at the House Rayburn Building. It was hosted by Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa, Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, Embassy Office of Veterans Affairs and the NaFFAA federation chaired by Alma Kern.

The 70-member strong caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista CA) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista CA) who both are sponsors of the H.R. 760 Equity and H.R. 1287 Family bills.

ACFV leaders said they will intensify grassroots lobbying campaign to pass their bills before congressional session ends in October.