U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01) and U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) teamed up to introduce a bipartisan bill that would help Filipino veterans obtain the benefits they earned for their service to the United States during World War II.

The Filipino Veterans Promise Act authorizes the Department of Defense to establish an appeals process for Filipinos who have not been able to have their military service verified by the U.S. This bill gives these veterans the opportunity to have their records examined and verified by military historians so they can receive benefits. …

 From a press release Tuesday (May 7):

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today filed her first four amendments to the immigration reform bill currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The four measures, long sought by Hawaii leaders, would reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families, make it easier for foreign tourists to visit the islands, and help the Hawaii fishing industry. …

As the committee marks up and considers amendments to the immigration reform bill this month, Hirono expects to offer each of these amendments for a vote. If approved by the committee, the measures will be included in the immigration bill that is sent to the Senate floor. …

Photo courtesy Monica’s Dad.

—Chad Blair