JFAV Update 01

July 31, 2007



JFAV Pursue Lobbying for Equity Bills,Filipino Vets Win Commitments on Capitol Hill

Los Angeles—Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV )Filipino World War II veterans and their advocates, energized by recent victories and their lobbyist Washington based the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans recently visited Capitol Hill (July 26-27) and thanked their Senators, House members and legislative staff for the progress on their equity pension and family bills.

On Thursday evening, the ACFV leaders with JFAV veterans leaders led by Commanders Franco Arcebal,Peping Baclig and Nick Gadia commemorated the the 66th anniversary of the 1941 Military Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt drafting Philippine Commonwealth soldiers into U.S. armed service.

Philippine Congressional Caucus

They were guests at the reception of the 70- member strong Philippine Congressional Caucus at the House Rayburn Building. It was hosted by Philippine Ambassador Willy Gaa, Gen. Delfin Lorenzana, Embassy Office of eterans Affairs and the NaFFAA federation chaired by Alma Kern.

The Caucus is co-chaired by Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista CA) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista CA) who both are sponsors of the H.R. 760 Equity and H.R. 1287 Family bills.

Several congress members attended the Capitol reception: Mike Honda (D-Campbell CA), Hilda Solis (D-El Monte CA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach CA), Bobby Scott (D-Richmond VA), Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU), Joe Wilson (R-SC) and others.

They visited the offices and met the key staff of the following senators: Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Larry Craig (R-ID), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Barack Obama

(D-IL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and others.

In the House, they consulted with the legislative counsel of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, chaired by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose CA), who briefed them on the positive prospects of Filipino Veterans Family reunification bill H.R. 1287 of Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA).

JFAV Mass Actions in Southern California

Meanwhile in California JFAV activists continue to support union activities as their solidarity actions last week.

- Last July 26, JFAV activists joined the 24-hour prayer and peace vigil of the United Health Care Workers West (UHW) at the Huntington Park Community and Mission Hospitals at 2623 E. Slauson Ave, 90255 with community and health care workers.

The rally-vigil started last July 26 at 10:00 Am and ended on July 27. The healthc are workers are demanding a stop to subcontracting, fair wages and benefits and access to training.

- On July 27, JFAV also joined the citizenship workshop conducted by the NALEO held in Washington St.office in Los Angeles. JFAV and UHW mobilized at least 10 volunteers who helped in the workshop. More than a thousand people beat the deadline for citizenship application whose deadline is July 29 midnight.

- Also on July 27, the United Filipino American Veterans (UFAV) led by Commander Eugenio Mondok held a benefit dance to mark the 66th USAFFE Day in Angelus Plaza Apartment on Hill. St.

- Earlier on July 26, the JFAV Executive Committee met at People’s CORE office and started planning for the JFAV activities for the last quarter of 2007. The 7th Annual Veterans Day in Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles will be held on November 11, 2007.

ACFV Action in Jersey City

Meanwhile in the East Coast, on Saturday, August 4 at 5 P.M., the Philippine American Veterans Organization (PAVO) and the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League (PaCCAL) will hold a forum community forum in Jersey City NJ at the Our Lady of Victories School Auditorium (corner of Ege and Westside Avenues) for the roundtable discussion and action plans of the students and the veterans wi th the ACFV executive director, Eric Lachica.

ACFV leaders will intensify grassroots lobbying campaign bills before congressional session ends in October.

Earlier on May 24, the full Senate overwhelmingly voted (87 to 9) for the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Amendment of Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI). However the underlying controversial Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill was blocked.

On June 27, the Senate VA Committee approved and included their equity pension bill introduced by Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) in the omnibus bill S. 1315.

On July 17, the House Veterans Affairs Committee chaired by Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) approved the Filipino Veterans Equity Act, H.R. 760.

For more information on the Filipino World War II advocacy and activities please call Arturo P. Garcia @(213)241-0995 or email@jfav_causa@yahoo.com/apg_pcore@hotmail.com