Reflections on the July 12-14, at the JFAV lobby at US Congress

Discordant Notes

Reflections on the July 12-14, at the JFAV lobby at US Congress

After the July 12-14 lobby at the lower house, JFAV is happy to report that we have 45 confirmed co-sponsors at the press time. We are confident to get 60 co-sponsors by next week.

This a big increase from the 21 co-sponsors we got last April days of lobby. We added 24 and have another 20 or more coming as they were committed by the staff directors and veterans affairs person from the 34 congresspersons we visited last July 12-15, 2011 in Washington DC.

The 17 person JFAV delegation were bolstered by a 11- person group from Damayan and Ugnayan from New York.  The Damayan workers were tired from a six-day conference and lobby but still went to lobby for the veterans. Their exuberance and enthusiasm fired up the California delegation also dead tired from delayed flights and non-sleep.

They were elated when newly elected Rep.Collene Hanabusa from Hawaii personally visited the lobby in their temporary headquarters provided by Rep. Speier.

Rep. Hanabusa personally congratulated the group for its efforts to seek justice and pledged her support." We are aware of the 18 year struggle and are ashamed that the benefits was just inserted into the Stimulus law that are supposed to be given to you." Hanabusa stressed.

Persistent and Proactive lobby pays off

As our JFAV coordinator Ago Pedalizo said; " more than 95% of staff members and house reps have no question on the justness and necessity of HR 210. During our lobby. they all know this is urgent for our veterans are dying by the days.

The only problem is the money or the off-set. But that burden is on them not on the veterans or for us to figure out. "

What they call the “ off-set” is the where the fund will be coming come. The staff members said they are afraid that other sources will be tapped to be given to the veterans. A example they give is that “they don’t want to  remove funding from food stamps to given to veterans and widows.”

But that should not be the case. The US Congress has a history of giving budget to the veterans like what they did after World War II, the Vietnam War and the ongoing wars. But they all excluded the  Filipino veterans in all cases.

But in the end after all the questions, it is a fact that burden is on them ( US Congress) not on the veterans or for us to figure out. So in the end, when the figures lies, the lies that there is no budget and its a crisis does not figure."

We would like  to extend again our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who  came, drove us, fed us and acted as while we were on the tri-state of Maryland. Virginia and DC.  Without them it will be a more  another painful and back-breaking  job to be done.

So we call on everybody to prepare for the next lobby on September 2011. Wait for further announcements.

For Justice and Equity, Ever forward!

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