JFAV UPDATES

February 10, 2012

RON PAUL SUPPORTS HR 210, FILVETS

Las Vegas--Republican presidential candidate and Texan congressman Ron Paul showed his support for HR 210 and Pilipino veterans last week with a rally in Las Vegas, Nevada. HR 210, also known as the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2011, was introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA) in January of last year as a way to provide equal benefits to Philippine soldiers that fought alongside the United States during World War II.

Though the bill has 87 co-sponsors, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have yet to make any votes to pass or veto the proposal.

In a statement from Ron Paul’s presidential campaign, National Campaign Manager John Tate made the announcement of Paul’s backing of the Filipino Veterans Fairness Act. “[W]e are pleased to add to Ron Paul’s unwavering legacy of supporting veterans by announcing he will support and co-sponsor H.R. 210,”

Tate declared. “In making this gesture, Ron Paul will do his best to ensure that the diminishing number of WWII-era Filipino heroes get the honor, dignity, and care they earned during their service to America.”

Tate also recognized Paul’s own experience serving in the military as a factor in the decision. “Dr. Paul is the only presidential candidate – Republican or Democrat – with military service, having served honorably as an Air Force flight surgeon during the Cold War era.” Ron Paul is the third Republican representative to co-sponsor the bill, behind Steve Austria of Ohio and Joe Heck of Nevada.

At last weeks rally, organized by the Filipino American Veterans of Nevada (FAVN), Ron Paul spoke of his support for HR 210 and his sentiments on veteran appreciation and foreign policy. “A lot of individuals served in WWII and other wars and never was adequately thanked. I think what the Filipino soldiers suffered was a lot more than just not getting thanked or recognized. They lost a lot of benefits and our government broke their promise. That needs to be rectified.” Paul pledged that if elected president, he would continue to be a large advocate for Pilipino veterans to attain equity. “You know, it takes a whole lot for me to get strongly behind a piece of legislation that costs money but I’ll tell you what -- when I looked into this bill, I knew that this was a proper function for spending money and I am a strong supporter of HR 210.”

With a few veterans in attendance at the event, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman also deemed the 3rd of February as Filipino Veterans Fairness Day to show support for all the Pilipino veterans that have yet to receive equal rights and benefits.



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