FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Will Dempster (Hirono), (202) 224-9813
Andrew Gumbiner (Gabbard), (202) 253-1281
Hirono & Gabbard Announce Presentation of
Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II
Veterans Scheduled for October 25
Congressional Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony in U.S. Capitol
Follows Hirono & Gabbard Bill to Honor Filipino World War II
Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
announced that Congress will honor Filipino World War II veterans with its highest civilian
honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol on October 25. The
ceremony is a result of Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Gabbard’s bill to honor the over
260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who fought in the Pacific Theater.
“The presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to our Filipino World War II veterans is the
culmination of decades of work to honor these veterans for their service to our country,” said
Senator Mazie K. Hirono. “These veterans and their families overcame many challenges in
their fight for compensation, family reunification, and verification of wartime service. I look
forward to participating in the ceremony to provide this long overdue recognition next month.”
“The United States is indebted to the service, bravery, and perseverance of Filipino veterans of
World War II. Their sacrifices were left untold in the United States for decades, as they fought
for recognition by the country they served,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “I am proud
that we can correct the record today, and finally honor the service and sacrifice of these heroes
and their families, and ensure they are never forgotten.”
The ceremony will take place on October 25 at 11:00 a.m. EST in Emancipation Hall and will be
live-streamed on speaker.gov/live. Filipino World War II veterans and their families who are
interested in participating in the ceremony and receiving a bronze replica medal should register
through the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project at www.filvetrep.org/registry.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.)
will take part in the bipartisan, bicameral ceremony.
Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Gabbard’s law, the Filipino Veterans of World War II
Congressional Gold Medal Act (Public Law 114-265), was signed into law by President Obama
and awarded the medal collectively to the over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers
who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag during
World War II.
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