�Equity Bill To Be Passed by June 30, 2007��Filner

Los Angeles��I wished we could to pass the Equity Bill by April 9, (on Bataan Day,) but we did not make it, I think, we can pass the Equity Bill by June 30.�

This was the direct answer of Representative Bob Filner (CA- 51) of San Diego and the Chairman of the Committee on veterans Affairs to the question of JFAV Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia question when will Congress pass the equity bill during the Q and A portion of the Forum on Veterans Affair Issue. The forum was held last Monday, April 2 at the American Legion Post 206 in Highland Park, Los Angeles.

Congressman Filner also reported �that the appropriations are assured for the equity bill if it passes Congress before the year ends � because the lower house have passed or earmarked more than $ 13.6 B appropriations for the veterans funding this fiscal year.

Both Congressman Filner and Becerra attributed the increase of the veterans appropriations budget due to the pubic outcry over the expose at the Water Reed Hospital and the claims of war veterans of bad treatment for the war wounded and sick patients.

More than 500 American veterans most of the Filipino World War II veterans packed the Post 206 Hall at 227 Avenue 55, Highland Park. Most veterans organizations from different posts in Los Angeles, veterans of different wars from World War II to Iraq attended the meeting presided by Rep. Xavier Becerra (CA-31).

Filipino Veterans from the Society of Guerillas and Scouts (SGSI) led by Commander Jack Vergara, Faustino Baclig, Max Florentino, Arcadio Basat and Nick Gadia, UFAV led by Commander Eugenio Mondok and Justice for Filipino American Veterans led by Arturo P, Garcia of People�s CORE,, Filipino American Service Group (FASGI) led by Susan Dilkes and Bernie Targa also attended the affair.

�With guarded optimism and renewed strength, we in SGSI and JFAV, a coalition of youth and veterans greet the assurance of Congressman Filner, the chair of the Committee on Veterans Affair. The more we have to redouble our efforts for the passage of HR 760� SGS Commander Jack Vergara and Peping Baclig of ACFV Western Region declared after the forum.

Bataan Day Commemoration, April 9, 2007 in Los Angeles

Meanwhile, JFAV has announced that they will commemorate the 65th Bataan Day on April 9 , 2007 at 9:00 A.M with simple commemorative rites and wreath laying at the Lake St. Memorial Monument at 227 Park View St. Los Angeles, CA 90026.

On April 9, 1942 the province of Bataan, the bastion of the US forces in the Far East was forced to surrender to the Japanese after more than six month of fighting. More than 70,000 American and Filipino forces surrendered and were forced to march to the prisoner of war camp in Capas, Tarlac.

During the death march, more than 10,000 American and Filipino soldiers died of Japanese brutality, hunger and disease during the 65-kilometer death march from Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.

For more information please contact Al P. Garcia at People�s CORE (213) 241-0995 or eail@jfav_causa@yahoo.com