WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 44, The Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act

Comment by JimM (August 28, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I don't see this as a pork-bill of any kind since (correct me if I'm wrong) the natural residence of Guam can't vote as of yet. Even if I'm wrong on that point, the total amount of money called for is insignficant against the national budget (or an anveraged-sized lobbying firm). While the decision of how to treat the defeated Japanese nation was correct in the big picture, we have the responsibility to do right by these people who suffered under the occupation of the Japanese military - quite possibly the most brutal occupation force in the last 100 years. I regret that this hadn't been addressed over 50 years ago to directly aid those who suffered first-hand. And while there wasn't much hope for passing this bill under our previous president, perhaps our current president will take up the cause and handle this in a way that makes future Americans proud, in Guam and everywhere else....

Comment by Tony Artero (April 4, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

There is no misunderstanding on the need to keep our country strong. In fact, the WWII experience showed that the people of Guam have literally taken their shirts off their backs to defend America. Many people of Guam have given their lives without any hesitation and without expectation of recognition. That is no reason for America to ignore the sacrifices, take advantage of, and worse, continually mistreat the people of Guam today. America ignored the people of Guam’s sacrifices 64 years ago and ruined a people once self-reliant with great pride. America has treated its enemies far better than its treatment of Guam and its people. The opposite is true for Guam and its people placed in Uncle Sam’s plantation to this day. I urge the Senators, please, read the book “Robinson Crusoe - USN” published in 1945 and reprinted in 1994. Know the history and the sacrifices for democracy, freedom, and justice of the people you are representing. Tony Artero, Submariner - US Navy, (Ret.)...

Revision by webmaster (March 6, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - (Sec. 2) Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were raped, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war and survivors of compensable injured residents (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents).

Defines "compensable Guam decedent" as a Guam resident who died or was killed as a result of the attack and occupation of Guam by Japanese military forces during World War II, or incident to Guam's liberation by U.S. military forces, and whose death would have been compensable under the Guam Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 if a timely claim had been filed.

Defines "compensable Guam victim" as an individual who, as a result of the attack and occupation of Guam by Japanese military forces during World War II or incident to the liberation of Guam by U.S. military forces, suffered any of the following: (1) rape or severe personal injury (such as loss of a limb, dismemberment, or paralysis); (2) forced labor or personal injury (such as disfigurement, scarring, or burns); or (3) forced march, internment, or hiding to evade internment.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury. Authorizes the Commission to adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility.

Requires: (1) claims to be filed within one year after the Commission publishes public notice of the filing period in the Federal Register; and (2) the Commission to make filing period information available to the public through the media in Guam.

Subjects false claims to criminal penalties.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for research, educational, and media activities that memorialize the events surrounding the World War II occupation of Guam or honor the loyalty of the people of Guam during the occupation, or both.

(Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations, which shall remain available for obligation until September 30, 2013, for: (1) Guam World War II claims payments and adjudication; and (2) the Guam World War II memorial grant program.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 3/5/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of March 5, 2009

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

3/5/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Comment by Julia Chargualaf Miller (March 4, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST

U.S. Senators, the contribution to the WWII survivors of this horrific experience is not even going to be a drop in the bucket in our President\'s Stimulus Package. At least one \"pork\" identified in The Package should be given up for Guam\'s WWII survivors. Truly, America (Guam) was conquered, used, and abused. America cleared the Japanese from paying for these autorcities. Now, America should pay for that mistake. As America took care of Neisi-Americans, so must it take care of Guamanian-Americans. Look at the present military record: Guam has the largest American military personnel(per capita)serving our great country. We were and still are America\'s most loyal citizens outside of Mainland, U.S.A. We are asking for a small recompense before our generation of patriots from that war expire. Thank you, Julia...

Revision by webmaster (February 25, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - (Sec. 2) Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

Subjects false claims to criminal penalties.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/24/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (February 24, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make specified payments to: (1) living Guam residents who were killed, injured, interned, or subjected to forced labor or marches resulting from, or incident to, such occupation and subsequent liberation; and (2) survivors of compensable residents who died in war or survivors of compensable injured residents (such payments to be made after payments have been made to surviving Guam residents).

Defines "compensable Guam decedent" and "compensable Guam victim."

Directs the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to specify injuries that would constitute a severe personal injury or a personal injury. Authorizes the Commission to adjudicate claims and determine payment eligibility.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for research, educational, and media activities that memorialize the events surrounding the occupation of Guam during World War II, honor the loyalty of the people of Guam during such occupation, or both.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/23/2009: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 299 - 99 (Roll no. 73).

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (February 24, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - (Sec. 2) Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

Subjects false claims to criminal penalties.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/23/2009: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 299 - 99 (Roll no. 73).

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Status as of February 24, 2009

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

2/24/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Comment by Manny Cruz (February 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

I am concerned about the eligibility provisions of the bill.It is still not clear who will be eligible. The Guam Claims Commission limited the eligibility to only those who are still living from 1990 on. Both my parents suffered enormous difficulties during the three and a half years under the Japanese occupation. My father was tortured because of his involvement in the hiding of George tweed. My mother was in the concentration camp in Manengon afetr marching there with hundreds of people. Both passed away..my father in 1984 and my mother in 1971. If the legislation is correct, they will not be entitled to any compensation at all, nor their heirs. Where is the fairness?Just because they passed away, they will be forever forgotten....

Status as of February 23, 2009

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

2/23/2009: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 299 - 99 (Roll no. 73).

Revision by webmaster (February 13, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

Defines "compensable Guam decedent" and "compensable Guam victim."

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of February 4, 2009

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

2/4/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

Revision by webmaster (January 14, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act - Recognizes the suffering and the loyalty of the people of Guam during the Japanese occupation of Guam in World War II.

Defines "compensable Guam decedent" and "compensable Guam victim."

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (January 7, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (January 7, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 44 would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Status as of January 6, 2009

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

1/6/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.