BILL NUMBER: SJR 25	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Yee

                        MARCH 8, 2010

   Relative to the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 25, as introduced, Yee. Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation
Fund.
   This measure would urge the President of the United States,
Congress, and the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to
expedite funding, and lessen the amount of required documentation
necessary to allow eligible Filipino and Filipino American veterans
to receive payments provided under the Filipino Veterans Equity
Compensation Fund.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) (Public Law
111-5), which authorizes cash payments to Filipino and Filipino
American veterans of World War II; and
   WHEREAS, Through the ARRA Congress authorized the United States
Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a total amount of
compensation equaling approximately $198 million to soldiers of the
Philippine Government who served in the armed forces prior to July 1,
1946, while those forces were in the service of the Armed Forces of
the United States; and
   WHEREAS, Some recognized guerilla forces and Philippine Scouts may
also be eligible for these payments; and
   WHEREAS, All Filipino and Filipino American veterans are required
to fill a VA claim form 21-4138 (CF) Statement in Support of Claim in
order to receive payment from the Filipino Veterans Equity
Compensation Fund; and
   WHEREAS, If found to be eligible, Filipino and Filipino American
veterans or their survivors will receive a one-time payment of
$15,000 for United States citizens, and $9,000 for non-United States
citizens, and applying for this cash payment will not affect those
veterans' eligibility for other existing veterans' benefits; and
   WHEREAS, As of January 1, 2010, 39,591 claims for payments have
been received and 11,345 applications for benefit payments have been
granted; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved, by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California,
jointly, That the California Legislature respectfully urges the
President of the United States, Congress, and the United States
Department of Military Affairs to expedite funding, and lessen the
amount of required documentation necessary to allow eligible Filipino
and Filipino American veterans to receive payments provided under
the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.