S 63
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 63
To require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity
of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service
on behalf of the United States during World War II.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 25 (legislative day, January 5), 2011
Mr. INOUYE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Army to determine the validity
of the claims of certain Filipinos that they performed military service
on behalf of the United States during World War II.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DETERMINATIONS BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY.
(a) In General- Upon the written application of any person who is a
national of the Philippine Islands, the Secretary of the Army shall
determine whether such person performed any military service in the
Philippine Islands in aid of the Armed Forces of the United States during
World War II which qualifies such person to receive any military, veterans',
or other benefits under the laws of the United States.
(b) Information To Be Considered- In making a determination for the
purpose of subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider all information
and evidence (relating to service referred to in subsection (a)) that
is available to the Secretary, including information and evidence submitted
by the applicant, if any.
SEC. 2. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE.
(a) Issuance of Certificate of Service- The Secretary of the Army shall
issue a certificate of service to each person determined by the Secretary
to have performed military service described in section 1(a).
(b) Effect of Certificate of Service- A certificate of service issued
to any person under subsection (a) shall, for the purpose of any law
of the United States, conclusively establish the period, nature, and
character of the military service described in the certificate.
SEC. 3. APPLICATIONS BY SURVIVORS.
An application submitted by a surviving spouse, child, or parent of
a deceased person described in section 1(a) shall be treated as an application
submitted by such person.
SEC. 4. LIMITATION PERIOD.
The Secretary of the Army may not consider for the purpose of this Act
any application received by the Secretary more than two years after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. PROSPECTIVE APPLICATION OF DETERMINATIONS BY THE SECRETARY
OF THE ARMY.
No benefits shall accrue to any person for any period before the date
of the enactment of this Act as a result of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. REGULATIONS.
The Secretary of the Army shall prescribe regulations to carry out sections
1, 3, and 4.
SEC. 7. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
Any entitlement of a person to receive veterans' benefits by reason
of this Act shall be administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs
pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
SEC. 8. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term `World War II' means the period beginning on December
7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946.
END
