NEXT:  HOUSE FLOOR VOTE

July 11, 2008
CALL TO ACTION
CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO SUPPORT FILIPINO VETERANS

The House of Representatives is close to bringing Filipino WWII veterans legislation to the floor for a vote (as part of the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act), but your help is needed to make sure that when this happens, we will EMERGE VICTORIOUS!  

What YOU can do:
1.     Contact your member of Congress in their DC office:  Make calls, send e-mails and faxes asking them to support the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act (which includes the restoration of veterans’ status for Filipino WWII veterans)
2.     Help us secure support from both sides of the aisle-- Democrats AND Republicans

To reach your representative call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 to be connected to any member of Congress.  You can also find information about the House of Representatives online at www.house.gov, or about specific members at http://www3. capwiz.com/ mygov/dbq/ officials/
 
Below are talking points, a phone script and a sample letter  Please make the following points:
·        The Senate has passed the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act, which includes restoration of veterans status for Filipino WWII veterans- THE TIME FOR THE HOUSE TO ACT IS NOW!
·        The Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act not only corrects this injustice, but provides a range of benefits for ALL veterans and will NOT take a dime from any current veteran
·        The 1946 Rescission Act took away U.S. Veterans status for Filipino WWII vets and we need to right this wrong and give them the honor and recognition of that they deserve.
·        Nationals from more than 60 other countries who also served under U.S. command during WWII received U.S. veteran status- Filipinos were singled out for discriminatory treatment.
PHONE SCRIPT
“Hello!  My name is [insert your name] and I would like to speak with the staffer working on veterans affairs.”
 
“Hello!  My name is [insert your name] and I would like [insert Congressmember’s name] to pass the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act.  This bill (S. 1315) includes provisions to restore US veteran status for Filipinos and provide them with the resources they need to live out the remainder of their lives with the honor and dignity their service to this country in World War II deserves.  It is now time for the House to act.
 
"Can I count on [Congressmember' s name] to support this legislation?"
 
Letter for the House of Representatives

July 11, 2008
 
Dear Representative:
 
We are writing to request your support for the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act which includes provisions to restore veterans status to Filipino WWII veterans.  Time is running out for this bill, and we strongly urge your leadership on this important issue.
 
On April 24, the Senate voted to pass this bill (S. 1315) by the overwhelming bipartisan vote of 96-1 and it is time for the House to follow suit.  This bill is of UTMOST IMPORTANCE to our community and we call on you to support this bill in its current form and to vote for it when it comes to a floor vote.  We strongly urge you to oppose any efforts to weaken the provisions of the bill.
 
Out of the original 250,000 Filipino soldiers originally called to serve, there are only 18,000 veterans left, and the time is now to rectify the 62-year injustice done to these few brave soldiers.  We call on you to restore full equity to our veterans so that they can live out their remaining years with the full measure of honor befitting their service to this country.
 
For more information about the bill, or about the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity, contact Ben de Guzman, NAFVE Campaign Coordinator at nafve2007@gmail. com or by phone at 202-422-4909.
 
Thank you for your time.  

  
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME

· Pass the Filipino WWII Veterans Equity Act NOW!