Media Release

Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)

San Diego, CA

July 9, 2010

JFAV LEADERS MEET with CONGRESSMAN BOB FILNER TODAY

San Diego—A group of Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV) met with Congressman Bob Filner, ( D-51st District) ,head of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in a legislative visit in his Chula Vista office today at 9:00 AM, July 09, 2010.

The San Diego and Los Angeles group headed by JFAV National Coordinator Arturo P. Garcia and San Diego JFAV representation met with Congressman Filner and his Filipino deputy Manny Doria for fifteen minutes.

The JFAV organization updated Rep. Filner on the present situation of 16,000 Filipino veterans who were denied of their lump sum claims by the Department of Veterans Affair (DVA).

Rep. Filner acknowledged that they did not expect that more than 41,000 Filipino World War II veterans will apply for claims. They ( US Congress) only provided for 18,000 Filipino veterans.

VETERANS & RELATIVES DIRE SITUATION

Ms. Jessica Obana, a daughter of a Filipino WWII Guerilla Veteran from San Diego whose claim was denied by the DVA, narrated the angst that the relatives of the Veterans are undergoing with the denials of his claim. She expressed how they are burdened financially especially now during a time that her father is sick and has been hospitalized due to 2 strokes this month. His claim was denied even after submitting all required documents and proof of service.

On his part, Rep. Filner promised JFAV that he will confirm to them if the promised $ 67 million additional to the $ 198 M lump sum for the Veterans Equity Compensation Fund has been approved. He believed that the additional money for VECF has been passed by the lower house.

Rep. Filner like other congress people are running for office this mid term election for the US Congress. JFAV thanked Rep. Filner for his support for the Filipino Veterans and will continue lobbying for change.

JFAV Book signing, July 10

Meanwhile the JFAV-San Diego will hold a book signing of the JFAV book-"The Unrecognized American Veterans" on Saturday, July 10 at Skyline Hills - San Diego Public Library in Paradise Hills/Skyline from 12pm -2:00 PM. The author, Arturo P. Garcia will do a book reading and signing.

The JFAV-San Diego Chapter invites the public to this event. There will be a discussion and a forum to make the public aware of the Veterans 63 years struggle for recognition, justice and equity.

JFAV, along with the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) and AWARE (Alliance of Relatives and Widows for Equity) will file a court case against the DVA within the next two weeks for denying the claims of more than 16,000 Veterans . They ask the DVA to expedite the claims payments and Veterans' appeals.

JFAV, AWARE and the MHC will pursue this litigation case as well as continue the lobbying for the recognition, lifetime pension and benefits for widows and legal heirs of Filipino World War II Veterans.

For more information contact JFAV at (213) 2410995 or mail at jfav_us@yahoo.com

JFAV San Diego: JFAVsandiego@gmail.com

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TOMORROW SAT. JULY 10th @ 12pm SKYLINE HILLS LIBRARY

Book launching of THE UNRECOGNIZED AMERICAN VETERANS and guest appearance by author and organizer, ARTURO GARCIA.

BE THERE!