CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN FARR CONVEYS SUPPORT TO FILIPINO VETERANS EQUITY BILL  

16 April 2007 – Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco , California , U.S.A. reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo that California Congressman Sam Farr (D-17^th District) conveyed his support to the proposed Filipino Veterans Equity in the U.S. Congress.  

In a meeting with Consul General Sanchez on 10 April 2007 at Congressman Farr’s district office in Salinas , he said that promises were made by the U.S. government to the Filipino soldiers who were inducted into the United States Armed Forces in the Far East when the Pacific war broke out.  

“It’s a question of credibility on the part of the U.S. government to keep its promise.  We should treat these Filipino soldiers who fought for the U.S. cause equally in terms of recognition and benefits that we have extended to our own American war veterans,” Congressman Farr stated.  

The two officials also discussed other important issues, including the US-RP Friendship Caucus, which currently has 76 members, including 7 original sponsors.  They agreed that this caucus, a bipartisan group of American legislators who have consistently showed support for the Philippines , serves as “a key organizational tool for the two countries to promote their mutual interests whose roster should be expanded.”  

Congressman Farr recalled his experiences with the Filipino-American community in Monterey and Sta. Cruz counties, particularly in Salinas .  “Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have been an integral part of the social and economic development of the region, starting out as agricultural workers and later becoming involved in the construction of hotels that led to the economic boom after World War II,” he noted.   

“They have become respected professionals in their own right,” Congressman Farr remarked, as there are many Filipino-Americans employed as managers in these business establishments as well as educators or faculty members in the various language schools in Salinas.  

Congressman Farr also expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to meet with officials of the Consulate and with representatives of the Bay Area Filipino-American community.  

The Consul General was accompanied in the meeting by Consul Wilfredo Santos and representatives of the surviving Filipino World War II veterans namely former Commissioner Rudy Asercion of the Veterans War Memorial Commission of San Francisco and Mr. David Tejada. END

/jay

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