Congressman Juan Vargas Cosponsors Congressional Gold Medal for WWII Filipino Veterans
Washington, D.C. (June 11, 2015) – Today, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) joined Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard(HI-2), Congressman Joe Heck (NV-3), Senator Mazie Hirono (HI), and other legislators at a press conference to introduce legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino and Filipino-American veterans that fought for the U.S. military during World War II. The bill recognizes the tremendous service and sacrifice made by over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag against the Imperial Forces of Japan during the war. Congressman Vargas is an original cosponsor of this bill.
“I’m excited to be a part of the movement to obtain national recognition for Filipino and Filipino-American Veterans,” said Vargas. “It is tremendously important that we honor the people who fought so valiantly against the crushing expansionism of Imperial Japan—some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Introducing this bill is the first step toward officially recognizing these veterans with our nation’s highest expression of appreciation.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire US/Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his second term in Congress. He represented the 40th California State Senate District from 2010-2012, the 79th California State Assembly District from 2000 – 2006 and served on the San Diego City Council from 1993 – 2000.