July 17, 2004

  • I checked my e-mail and was happy to receive this press release on HR 677, the Full Equity Bill.  It said,


    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2004


    Contact: Luisa Antonio 415.255.2347


    H.R. 677 Full Equity for Filipino World War II Veterans is Closer than Ever...


    H.R. 677, the Filipino World War II Veterans Equity Bill Act of 2003, is currently pending before the US House of Representatives.  A recent movement of support has just catapulted the number of co-sponsors to 185.  With this present push, only 34 co-sponsors are needed to bring FULL EQUITY to a vote before the House or Representatives.  The lobbying efforts of the National Network for Veterans Equity and their allies has shown that persistence and hope continue to prevail in the fight for justice.


    H.R. 677 was introduced on February 11, 2003 by Rep. Randy Cunningham (CA-50).  H.R. 677 has general provision direcly eliminating harsh provisions of the 1946 Rescission Act.  It provides, specifically in Section 2, the amendment of 38 USC re-designating service of Filipino veterans as "active" services and renders ALL Filipino Veterans eligible for benefits in parity with US veterans who are similarly situated.


    Now, more than ever,  your active support can bring long awaited justice to our Filipino World War II Veterans.  Please contribute your time and energy to this cause, because time is of the essence and our Veteranos are passing away everyday.


    ###


    Let's make it happen folks.


    Yet of course, while there is good news, I also got bad news.  AB 2512, a bill that would encourage that social science instruction in grades 7 to 12 "include instruction on World War II and the role of Filipinos in that war.  The Legislature encourages that this instruction include a component drawn from personal testimony, especially in the form of oral or video history of Filipinos who were involved in World War II and those men and women who contributed to the war effort on the homefront.  The oral histories used as a part of the instruction regarding the role of Filipinos in World War II shall exemplify the personal sacrifice and courage of the wide range of ordinary citizens who were called upon to participate and provide intelligence for the United States.  The oral histories shall contain the views and comments of their subjects regarding the rasons for their participation in the war.  These oral histories shall also solicit comments from their subjects regarding the aftermath of the war and the immigration of Filipinos to the United States."


    Now, it passed in the House and the Senate and when it went up to Arnold Schwarzenegger's office, on July 7, 2004, he issued the following statement: 


    To the Members of the California State Assembly:


    I am returning Assembly Bill no. 2512 without my signature.


    This bill would authorize adopted courses of study in social sciences to include instruction on World War II and role of Filipinos in that war.


    While I respect the author's intent to recognize the phenomenal contributions of Filipinos during World War II, State content standards and curriculum frameworks are necessarily broad, allowing for coverage of many important historical events and cultural developments.  Current law already allows schools to incorporate in their social science instruction the role of Filipinos during World War II.  I believe it is important for the State to refrain from prescribing too much of the details of school curriculum.


    For these reasons, I cannot support this bill.


     


    Sincerely,


    Arnold Schwarzenegger


    It's funny, because the bill states, "the Legislature encourages" instruction of the role of Filipino World War II veterans.  It does not force anyone to do it.  He says the State should not prescribe what should be in the curriculum.  According to him, we cannot even suggest anything.  Ridiculous.  I hope when the Legislature votes on it again, that they pass it.