HI HCR86

Urges Congress and the President to support the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2009 to expedite family reunification for Filipino World War II veterans and their families.

Recognizes that nearly 100,000 Filipino Commonwealth Army soldiers fought alongside United States and Allied forces during World War II, including those who fought in Bataan, Corregidor, and endured the Bataan Death March.

Notes that the 1946 Rescission Act discriminated against Filipino veterans by denying them equal veterans benefits and immigration/naturalization rights compared to other veterans and soldiers of 66 other countries.

States that while 1990 legislation granted immigration waivers for Filipino veterans seeking citizenship, it did not extend benefits to their children, causing prolonged family separation with children awaiting immigrant visas in the Philippines.

Directs transmission of the resolution to the President, Congress, Philippine government officials, and relevant federal agencies and Hawaii legislative committees.