[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 636 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 636

  Expressing support for designation of the period beginning April 9, 
     2012, and ending May 6, 2012, as ``Bataan-Corregidor Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 27, 2012

  Mr. Berman (for himself, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Filner, and Mr. Heinrich) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
   on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
   each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for designation of the period beginning April 9, 
     2012, and ending May 6, 2012, as ``Bataan-Corregidor Month''.

Whereas April 9, 2012, and May 6, 2012, mark the 70th anniversaries of the fall 
        of Bataan and Corregidor, respectively, to Japanese forces;
Whereas upon the outbreak of war between the United States and Japan in World 
        War II, approximately 100,000 members of the organized military forces 
        of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines who had been 
        called into the service of the United States Armed Forces by order of 
        President Roosevelt dated July 26, 1941, were committed to battle, along 
        with United States personnel, against Japanese forces that invaded the 
        Philippines on December 8, 1941;
Whereas the Filipino and United States defenders of the Philippines engaged 
        Japanese forces from the beaches of the Philippine islands to the last 
        defense of Bataan and Corregidor in a grueling battle lasting 150 days;
Whereas the enormous sacrifices of the defenders in the battles of Bataan and 
        Corregidor provided the United States and its Allies with valuable time 
        to prepare their armed forces for a counteroffensive campaign against 
        Japan;
Whereas in that defense, the members of the Filipino forces and their United 
        States counterparts struggled against difficult odds and desperate 
        circumstances and faced, with indomitable spirit, fortitude, and loyalty 
        to the United States, powerful Japanese forces;
Whereas the surrender of United States and Filipino troops on April 9, 1942, on 
        the Bataan Peninsula led to the infamous Bataan Death March;
Whereas as many as 11,000 of the approximately 78,000 prisoners of war (12,000 
        United States and 66,000 Filipino troops) died during the march to Camp 
        O'Donnell prison camp;
Whereas the survivors' suffering did not end with the march, as over twice as 
        many prisoners died in the first two months of imprisonment at Camp 
        O'Donnell as did on the march, and thousands later died of 
        malnourishment, disease, exhaustion, physical abuse, or by execution;
Whereas members of the Filipino forces acquitted themselves nobly during the 
        Bataan Death March, during their internment in death camps, and 
        throughout 3 years of resistance against Japanese occupation of the 
        Philippines;
Whereas more than 140,000 Filipino soldiers fought in units of the United States 
        Army during World War II, and many other Filipinos fought during World 
        War II in units that had no ties or only informal ties to the United 
        States Army;
Whereas the remains of over 17,000 members of the United States Armed Forces are 
        buried in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines;
Whereas the United States and the Philippines enjoy strong historical ties and 
        an enduring friendship; and
Whereas the United States recognizes the sacrifice, loyalty, and valuable 
        contribution of the Filipino and United States World War II veterans to 
        the causes of peace, freedom, and human dignity: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the House of Representatives--
                    (A) supports the designation of ``Bataan-Corregidor 
                Month''; and
                    (B) requests that the President issue a 
                proclamation designating such a month and calling upon 
                the people of the United States to observe that period 
                with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including 
                the recognition of veterans who served in the Bataan 
                Peninsula and Corregidor in the Philippines during 
                World War II; and
            (2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
        United States and Filipino veterans deserve recognition for 
        their bravery in defending Bataan and Corregidor and valiant 
        service during World War II.
                                 <all>