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The 1946 Rescission Acts: Betrayal and Unjust Treatment
White House Appointments Black Month History R3E & R10 Conferences New Membership Form
On February 18, 1946, two months after Filipino soldiers completed their wartime service to the United States, Congress passed the first of two Rescission Acts stripping them of their status as U.S. veterans and effectively denying them their rightful benefits. At the time, the Philippines was a U.S. territory and Filipinos were considered U.S. nationals. Although they were sworn in by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as members of the United States Army Forces of the Far East (USAFFE), they were deprived of equal protection and equal treatment as U.S. nationals – rights enjoyed by their fellow American soldiers who fought the same battles in defense of the same United States flag. “Because of the Rescission Acts of 1946, Filipino World War II veterans were not only deprived of combat pay; they suffered severe humiliation, painful loss of dignity and honor, and the shameful betrayal by a nation whom they served with loyalty and uncommon valor,” says Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (Ret), chairman of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. “For more than 70 years, our veterans endured these racially-motivated acts, which singled them out for discrimination and unfair treatment.” From July 26, 1941 to December 31, 1946, Filipino Army soldiers and guerrillas fought and defended a sovereign territory of the United States, as part of the U.S. Armed Forces Far East, commanded by General Douglas MacArthur. Their courage, selfless sacrifice, and fierce determination defeated the Japanese Imperial Forces in Oct 1944, and in the liberation of the Philippines in August 1945. During the entire Philippine War campaign, over 260,000 Filipino and American soldiers and guerrillas served. They suffered heavy losses in casualties, estimated at 57,000, in the now famous battles of Bataan and Corregidor. During the infamous Bataan Death March, about seventy thousand prisoners of war – both American and Filipino – marched 65 miles to Japanese internment camps, where they were imprisoned under inhuman conditions. Despite the essential role Filipino soldiers played in the United States victory in the Pacific during World War II, their contributions in defending democracy and liberty were totally ignored. Instead, the U.S. government denied them one important right given to everyone else who has served in the United States Military: the right to veterans’ benefits. Of the 66 allied nations who fought with the U.S. in World War II, only the Philippines was singled out by the Rescission Acts of 1946. MORAL OBLIGATION. In signing the legislation, President Harry S. Truman said, however, that the United States is not released from “its moral obligation to provide for the heroic Philippine veterans who sacrificed so much for the common cause during the war… They fought with gallantry and courage under the most difficult conditions during the recent conflict.” The late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI), who championed the Filipino veterans’ struggle for justice and equity for 20 years, criticized the 1946 Rescission Acts for their “anti-Filipino discriminatory intent.” Congress took this action, Inouye said, “in spite of the fact that Filipino veterans in our armed forces rendered services that were identical to that rendered by other, non-Filipino soldiers who were American nationals or who held United States citizenship.” Filipino World War II veterans have, indeed, suffered a grievous wrong and have sought to correct this grave injustice by seeking equal treatment for their valiant military service in our armed forces. Sadly, they only succeeded in winning funeral and burial expenses, prompting some of them to conclude that old Filipino soldiers must die first before the U.S. government can repay them for their military services. In 2009, almost 63 years later, Congress eventually granted them one-time lump sum payments as financial compensation: $15,000 each for those who are US citizens and $9,000 each for non-US citizens. 1
Finally, in November last year, Congress passed the Filipino World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015. It took more than 70 years for the United States to affirm its appreciation and thanks. “Now we can tell our veterans with pride in our hearts that this grateful nation has, at last, granted them recognition for the selfless sacrifice they endured in war, and restored their dignity and honor in service to their nation,” Taguba said. “Let us never forget that our veterans endured a lifetime of injustice and indignation inflicted by a shameful act of Congress. It was an ugly stain in this nation’s history.” NEXT STEPS. Now that the Congressional Gold Medal Award has enshrined the Filipino WWII veterans' place in U.S. history, FilVetREP is leading a nationwide effort to ensure Filipino WWII veterans and their families are able to receive the benefits of this historic achievement. FilVetREP is working to build a record of eligible Filipino and American veterans, including the closest surviving relatives of deceased veterans, Through a national fundraising campaign, FilVetREP National Chairman Maj. General Tony Taguba notes, "We want to cover the cost of providing a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal to each eligible veterans, or in the case of deceased veterans, their eligible closest surviving relative. We expect to honor about 20,000 recipients." With the minting of the Congressional Gold Medal expected to take at least nine months, plans are underway to hold a national celebration later this year for the awarding ceremonies. FilVetREP's ongoing work will ensure that educational programming will be in place to tell future generations about the lasting legacy of the Filipino WWII veterans. In the meantime, FilVetREP, in cooperation with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Administration (PVAO), is actively creating a national registry of eligible veterans and surviving relatives, which includes vetting potential CGM recipients in conformity with the provisions of the Filipino Veterans of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act. More information about donations and the national registry may be found in filvetrep.org, or via social media on Facebook and Twitter.
NaFFAA Celebrates Filipino American White House Appointments, Calls On President Trump to Re-authorize the White House Initiative on AAPIs Washington, D.C. – “We are heartened to hear about the recent announcements of two Filipino Americans--Ninio Fetalvo as Assistant Press Secretary and Joyce Meyer as Deputy Assistant to the President in the Office of Legislative Affairs--to President Trump’s Administration,” said NaFFAA Chairman Brendan Flores. “We need people representing the Filipino American community and our concerns in all levels of government. It is an imperative that we consistently maintain visibility at the White House.” Ninio Fetalvo, a Florida native, is a graduate of George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. Fetalvo served in various positions for the Republican National Committee, most notably as the Asian Pacific American Press Secretary, and Deputy Director of Media Affairs for the 2016 Republican National Convention. Joyce Meyer, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will be leaving her post as Deputy Chief of Staff to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, after working with him for decades. NaFFAA in the White House
Jason Tengco National Executive Director
Kelly Ilagan National Operations Officer
Rozita Lee Board of Governors
As an organization that works to advocate for issues and policy relevant to Filipino Americans, NaFFAA has maintained a sustained presence in Washington, D.C. over the past 20 years. Current NaFFAA leaders have served in many capacities within the White House over the years, including National Executive Director, Jason Tengco, who served as Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) under President Obama. National Treasurer Brad Baldia was a White House Intern during President Clinton’s first term, and Rozita Lee, Board of Governors member and past National Vice Chair, served as a Commissioner for WHIAAPI.
It is with great excitement to announce that current National Operations Officer, Kelly Ilagan, will continue NaFFAA’s presence under the current Administration, as a Deputy Associate Director for Presidential Personnel. A native of Michigan but current Ohioan, Ilagan will be vacating her position as Public Affairs Liaison for Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, as well as several positions including Vice President of Membership for the Philippine American Society of Central Ohio. She will continue her role in NaFFAA as National Operations Officer for the organization. “I want to take this time to congratulate Kelly in this new endeavor as a Deputy Associate Director. Now more than ever, it is incredibly important to have representation for the Filipino American community in the White House to allow for well-rounded and balanced leadership. I am confident in Kelly's ability to represent NaFFAA in our nation's capital and I know she will add so much value each and every day,” added by Flores. Continued on next page 2
NaFFAA’s 20th Anniversary and Call to Re-authorize WHIAAPI At the first inaugural convening of NaFFAA 20 years ago, over 1,000 delegates from various Filipino American organizations across the United States endorsed the formation of a new national federation to help amplify and unite the diverse voices of our community into one clear, powerful voice. On Saturday, October 21, 2017, NaFFAA will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary during Filipino American History Month in Washington, DC. Starting in 2015 under the Obama Administration, the White House Initiative on AAPIs hosted the first-ever White House Celebration of Filipino American History Month to discuss key policy issues facing the Filipino American community. In coordination with NaFFAA advocates and the recent White House appointments, NaFFAA hopes to continue the annual tradition, and calls on President Trump to reauthorize WHIAAPI this coming year. “We encourage members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community to call on President Trump to reauthorize the White House Initiative on AAPIs,” said Flores. “We need to ensure that issues facing the Filipino American community, and the broader AAPI community, are being recognized and actively addressed by the Administration and at all levels of government. I am optimistic that NaFFAA can continue to have a seat at the table in order to represent Filipino Americans and to ensure that our voices heard.”
NaFFAA observes Black History Month Our nation is built on the shoulders of immigrants like our forefathers, many of whom were not born here, but rather, across the Atlantic. The ethnic landscape is painted with people of many colors, beliefs, and creeds. During the month of February, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) celebrates Black History Month along with all Americans. Within the melting pot that is the United States, the ancestral paths from the Philippines and Africa have occasionally come to prominent crossroads. Actress Femi Emiola, who was born to a Filipina mother and a Nigerian father, was seen on television on shows like "Ghost Whisperer" and "Wicked Wicked Games." Cassie Ventura, a vocal artist known for hits like "Me & U," "Official Girl" featuring Lil Wayne, and "Let's Get Crazy" featuring Akon, was born to a Filipino father and a mother of mixed African decent. Allan Pineda Lindo, better known as Apl.de.ap, was a founding member of the vocal group "Black Eyed Peas." His father was a U.S. airman, and his mother is a Filipina. In the publication “Psychology Today,” E.J.R. David wrote, “...we need to resist oppression’s attempt to divide and conquer us. We need to resist the internalization of oppression that leads us to buy into the notions of colorism and racism, which leads us to have stereotypical, inferiorizing, and dehumanizing attitudes towards African Americans and dark-skinned individuals. Maybe learning a bit more about the ties between African Americans and Filipin@s will help us with this resistance.” Because we celebrate ethnic diversity as a cornerstone of the American condition, let's all take time out this month to reflect and honor the huge contributions of Black Americans to what we know today as the United States of America.
(Photo credit: Perri McCary) Photo taken at the Self-Help for African People through Education (SHAPE) Community Center in Houston, TX, with NaFFAA’s national leadership in front of the Philippine flag amongst the flags of numerous other nations. S.H.A.P.E. has led the way toward justice, equal opportunity, and institution building in the city, state, nation and world. Because of its deep commitment to the community, S.H.A.P.E. has actively sought ways to oppose injustice and to better the community for all people. 3
Website: http://conference.naffaa-r3east.org Facebook: NaFFAA Region 3 East Empowerment Conference
R/Gen. Tony Taguba Washington DC
PCG Generoso D.G. Colonge Chicago, Illinois
Mayor Ron Falconi Brunskwick, OH
Paul Beck Columbus, OH
Jung Kim Columbus, OH
Chris Borja Dublin, OH
Kimberly Carter, PhD Columbus, OH
Amy Schossler Upper Arlington, OH
Jennifer Sconyers, PhD Columbus, OH
Shyam Rajadhyaksha Columbus, OH
Angelo Campos
Imelda C. Emenaker, EdD Columbus, OH
Roel Campos Des Moines, IA
Christine Chen Washington, DC
Emmet Apolinario Columbus, OH
Krista Cavalieri, CFP Columbus, OH
Cindy Flores Chicago, IL
Sen Charleta B. Tavares Columbus, OH
Krizzia Yanga Columbus, OH
James Paat Dublin, OH
Hon. Tony Paat Columbus, OH
Joy Kouns-Lewis, PhD Columbus, OH
Cora Munoz, PhD Columbus, OH
Tina M Wenger Elkhart, IN
Elizabeth Piocos Cincinnati, OH
Willie Dechavez Sterling Heights, MI
NaFFAA Region 3-East (R3E) invites you to its 2017 R3E Empowerment Conference (EC)! Attendees of this event will be community leaders and guests coming mainly from the five R3E member states, which include Indiana, Iowa, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio. NaFFAA Ohio will host this three-day event, which will focus on the theme, “Redefining the Future: Leadership – Mentoring – Partnership,” at the Hilton Columbus/Polaris in Columbus, Ohio, on July 28-30, 2017. The 2017 R3E EC will provide an opportunity for NaFFAA to develop strategies to address the many concerns within the Filipino American community. We will conduct multiple workshops to focus on best practices in community leadership, engaging the community to achieve heightened awareness on issues, involving the youth through culture and education, and reaching out to other organizations for support in building a stronger Filipino American community. More specifically, we will include workshops discussing immigration reform, health care and aging, voter participation, business development, and youth inclusion, to name a few. 4
NaFFAA National is a monthly newsletter with the goal of circulating information on NaFFAA’s advocacy events and projects, appointments, messages from leadership and other related activities in the Filipino American community.
Ryan Tejero
Editor-In-Chief ryantejero@yahoo.com
Bing Branigin Kelly Ilagan Jason Tengco Christopher Rivera Please forward event announcements and news articles in your community for March issue by the 25th. Submission must be in word format and pictures are in jpeg formats. Thank you to all February contributors !
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