HI HR216

Urges the President of the United States and U.S. Congress to expedite payment of war benefits to Filipino World War II veterans who were denied entitled benefits under the 1946 Rescission Act.

Acknowledges that 250,000 Filipino soldiers volunteered in 1941 with promised full veterans benefits, and tens of thousands fought and died assisting U.S. liberation efforts in the Philippines.

Notes that President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which allocated $198,000,000 for lump sum payments to Filipino veterans, but many eligible veterans still await their checks.

Identifies approximately 400 qualified Filipino veterans in Hawaii, with 15 percent still waiting for payments and 20 percent having pending claims, while the veteran population ages in their 80s and 90s.

Requests the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services submit a report on progress by 20 days before the 2012 Regular Session and directs transmission of the resolution to federal officials, Philippine representatives, and Filipino American organizations.