Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, to recognize the more than 250,000 Filipino and Filipino American men and women who served the United States during World War II--only 15,000 of whom remain alive today.

In July, the Senate passed this legislation, sponsored by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dean Heller (R-NV) and Harry Reid (D-NV). The House companion bill is sponsored by Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Joseph Heck (R-NV). President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law.

“For decades, activists and veterans alike have fought for proper recognition of Filipino and Filipino-American WWII Veterans from the United States government,” said National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Chairman Brendan Flores. “We are pleased that the House of Representatives voted to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino WWII Veterans to honor our veterans for their service to the Filipino people and the preservation of our freedoms.”

“We are heartened that Congress has finally and fully recognized Filipino World War II veterans, who served our country with bravery and courage, with this highest civilian honor,” said National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) National Director Christopher Kang. “They are more than deserving of this award, and we look forward to the formal recognition of their sacrifice at last. We thank our champions in Congress--especially Senator Hirono and Representative Gabbard--and advocates such as the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project and NaFFAA, for making sure the legacy of Filipino World War II veterans is never forgotten.” 

###

Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 35 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Our communities are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, currently making up approximately six percent of the population.