Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo announced today that the House Resources Committee has passed H.R. 1595, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act.  The bill would implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission, and was amended in the committee today to address several concerns.

“Today represents a very significant step in a long journey for the people of Guam.  The Resource Committee’s action was the result of intensive negotiations with the Chairman and Ranking Member and the Committee’s adoption of the bill as amended is a reflection of their commitment to this issue,” Bordallo stated. 

The bill will provide restitution to the people of Guam who suffered atrocities – including personal injury, forced labor, forced marches, internment, and death – during the occupation of Guam in World War II. 

The Guam War Claims Review Commission, authorized by an Act of the 107^th Congress that was introduced and authored by Congressman Robert A. Underwood, was appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether there was parity of war claims paid to the residents of Guam under the Guam Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 as compared with claims for other Americans.

The Commission submitted their final report to Congress last year and found that Guam’s residents were not treated with parity under the Guam Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 in comparison to other Federal laws meant to address World War II personal injury claims for other U.S. citizens and nationals.  The Commission’s final recommendation was that Congress should “enact legislation providing for additional compensation” for Guam’s residents.  The Commission affirmed that the Federal Government has a moral obligation to pay compensation for war damages “in order to ensure to the extent possible that no single individual or group of individuals bears more than a just part of the overall burden of war.”

“Although this process is far from over, today’s events are an acknowledgement of the true compromise that was reached in regards to H.R. 1595.  The bill now removes the onerous 1990 restriction that has been an issue for many families, which the Review Commission had recommended but which the Committee removed at my request.  We had to find common ground with the House leadership and we believe that the bill now reflects a very good approach to the objections that have been raised both in Guam and in Washington.  We sincerely hope that this bill will garner support, not only among the people of Guam, but also in the Administration,” said Bordallo.

“I have received strong guidance from my predecessors, Congressman Ben Blaz and Congressman Robert Underwood, and they have continued to help in this process,” Bordallo concluded.

H.R. 1595 currently carries the support of 98 cosponsors.  This morning, the House Resources Committee ordered the bill favorably reported to the full House as amended by a substitute amendment.  This step represents progress on an issue of historical significance to the people of Guam and follows two full Resources Committee hearings that were held on the issue in the space of nine months.  Since 1983, bills have been introduced in every Congress to address this issue.  The next step is for H.R. 1595 to be considered on the House floor, after first having been cleared by the House Judiciary Committee.

 From L-R:  Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-California), Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall (D-West Virginia) at the markup of H.R. 1595, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act.