[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 122 (Tuesday, August 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: August 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. AKAKA:
S. 2413. A bill for the relief of Richard M. Sakakida; to the
Committee on Armed Services.
PRIVATE RELIEF LEGISLATION
Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill for
the private relief of Richard Motoso Sakakida of Fremont, CA. My
legislation would require the military to review whether the retired
lieutenant colonel deserves the Congressional Medal of Honor,
Distinguished Service Cross, or Sliver Star for actions related to his
service in the Philippines during World War II.
Despite many courageous and daring actions he undertook as an Army
undercover agent before and during the Japanese occupation of the
islands, Colonel Sakakida has never been officially recognized for his
service there, largely because much of his work was classified, and
therefore unknown, until well after the war. Despite efforts undertaken
in his behalf by fellow veterans and Members of Congress to accord him
the honors he deserves, the Army has refused to consider his case,
citing a statute limiting the Medal of Honor or Distinguished Service
Cross to those whose recommendations are received within 2 years of the
act justifying the awards, or, in the case of World War II veterans, by
1951.
Mr. President, I believe a brief review of Colonel Sakakida's wartime
exploits will convince my colleagues of the need to enact this
legislation.
In March 1941, 9 months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
Richard Sakakida, the son of Japanese parents who immigrated to Hawaii
at the beginning of the century, and another nisei from Hawaii became
the first Japanese-Americans recruited to the Army's Counter
Intelligence Police [CIP]. This suit would later become the Army
Counter Intelligence Corps, or CIC.
Sworn in as a sergeant, Sakakida was sent to the Philippines, then an
American possession; his mission was to spy on Japanese with possible
connections to the Japanese military. There, Sakakida was able to
masquerade as a draft evader from Hawaii and talk himself into being
admitted to an all-Japanese residential hotel in Manila. Under cover of
a prearranged job, and without any prior training or experience, he
succeeded in establishing a clandestine intelligence collection
operation out of this hotel room. As a measure of the success of his
penetration of the Japanese community, Sakakida was even offered a post
with the Japanese Consulate in Mindanao.
The outbreak of war abruptly ended that possibility. Instead of
returning to the American side, Sakakida was asked to stay with the
Japanese community to continue his work. He relied on sheer
resourcefulness to talk his way past unwitting American and Filipino
security guards at the gate to the emergency Japanese relocation
compound, where Japanese nationals were being detained. His
vulnerability was compounded by the fact that only a few men were aware
of his secret work. In fact, he was eventually arrested on spy charges
by the Philippine Constabulary and subjected to punishing interrogation
at Bilibid Prison. Throughout the ordeal Sakakida maintained his cover
story, as he was later able to do with his Japanese captors.
Fortuitously, he was eventually recognized by a Filipino agent who
was aware of his undercover status; unfortunately, this also
compromised his cover among Philippine authorities. A ruse involving
his return to the Japanese compound and unceremonious arrest by
American agents was staged in an attempt to maintain his cover in the
Japanese community, but the rapid advance of the Japanese Army ended
hopes for his return to the Japanese. For the first time since he
arrived in the islands, he reentered the American fold.
Back in military uniform with the CIP, Sergeant Sakakida was tasked
with interrogating Japanese civilians and POW's in Manila, Bataan, and
Corregidor. He translated Japanese diaries and combat documents,
prepared propaganda leaflets in Japanese, and called upon the Japanese
to surrender in loudspeaker broadcasts. He also monitored Japanese air-
ground communications and deciphered enemy codes. At Bataan, he singled
out and translated a key captured Japanese document that led to the
destruction of a large battalion-size force that was attempting a
landing there. It was one of the few, perhaps only, major American
battlefield successes in a string of setbacks that led to the downfall
of Bataan.
When the final surrender of the Philippines became imminent at
Corregidor in 1942, General MacArthur ordered Sakakida's evacuation to
Australia. In spite of the prospect of certain imprisonment, possible
torture, and perhaps execution at the hands of the Japanese, he chose
to give up his seat on one of the last escape aircraft to a nisei
lawyer. Sakakida was aware that the lawyer had a family and for various
reasons would have faced serious reprisals had he been captured. As a
result, by his own hand, Sakakida became the only Japanese-American to
be captured by the Japanese forces in the Philippines.
Sakakida spent 2 months in a Manila prison, where he would be
mercilessly interrogated and tortured. His situation was compounded by
the fact that, under existing Japanese law, everyone of Japanese
ancestry was considered a citizen of the Empire; thus, Sakakida was
viewed as a traitor. He was strung up by the arms in such a way that
his shoulders were literally dislocated. His captors forced water into
him, and struck his swollen stomach repeatedly; they also burned his
body with lighted cigarettes. Incredibly, through it all, Sakakida
would adhere to his story that he was a civilian forced to work for the
U.S. Army.
After being tortured, Sakakida spent more time in Bilibid Prison,
where he underwent more interrogation for alleged treason. When treason
charges against him were dropped, he was assigned to work for the
Japanese judge advocate of the 14th Army Headquarters, although
Japanese counterintelligence agents continued their attempts to elicit
his true identity through trick questions and other stratagems. He took
advantage of his position to aid secretly a number of allied prisoners
of war who were being held there for trial for attempting to escape;
Sakakida smuggled food to them and imaginatively interpreted for them
during their trials. One of these men, a naval officer who was later to
become an Oklahoma supreme court justice, believes he escaped execution
only through Sakakida's intervention and assistance during the trial.
During this time, he established contact with the Filipino guerrilla
underground, through which he funneled important Japanese troop and
shipping information to MacArthur in Australia. Sakakida's reporting
from Manila also contributed to the destruction of a major Japanese
task force headed for Davao by American submarines that lay in wait for
the convoy. The huge Japanese setback abruptly ended the Japanese
advance toward Australia, saving it from an invasion.
Sakakida then engineered a daring prison break from Mantinlupa Prison
that freed the guerrilla leader Ernest Tupas and 500 of his men.
Sakakida himself chose to remain behind in order to continue his
intelligence activities from the enemy's midst. Thereafter, Sakakida
was able to relay additional tactical information to MacArthur through
the guerrillas.
After American forces invaded the Philippines, Sakakida escaped from
the retreating Japanese forces at Baguio. During a firefight between
American and Japanese troops, he suffered shrapnel wounds in the
stomach. For the next several months Sakakida wandered alone in the
jungle, living off the land, debilitated by his wound. He finally
happened upon American troops, whom he eventually convinced of his
identity. At that point, he was informed that the war was over.
Mr. President, this is a thumbnail sketch of Richard Sakakida's
record of service in the Philippines. Naturally, it cannot do justice
to the full tale of his courage, daring, sacrifice, and endurance. I
have omitted many other incidents that displayed Sakakida's courage and
fortitude. In fact, for a variety of reasons, including the secrecy
surrounding his intelligence activities, his story has never been told
in its entirety until relatively recently.
Mr. President, because Sakakida's activities were classified, few
were in a position to recommend him for the Medal of Honor or other
high awards for valor. Much of what we know is largely anecdotal,
because circumstances dictated that the presence of any official
records would be damaging not only to his personal safety but also to
the diplomatic and military efforts of the United States. Now, time has
lifted the veil of secrecy, but many of the records of his activities
are missing or were never kept; in addition, many witnesses who could
have spoken of his exploits were either killed during the war or have
since passed away in the period between the end of the war and the
vitiation of the official blackout on Sakakida's operations. In spite
of this catch-22 situation, I believe that ample evidence exists to
support the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Colonel
Sakakida. I believe this especially in view of the fact that the whole
of his activities is informed by a supreme consistency, validated by
objective events, that only the truth bears.
Nevertheless, after Colonel Sakakida's story was publicly revealed
several years ago, and his record formally brought to the Army's
attention by fellow veterans as well as by my Hawaii colleague,
Representative Patsy Mink, the Army's Military Awards Branch refused to
consider him for the Medal of Honor. The Army, citing the statute I
have referred to earlier, stated that Sakakida's recommendation must
have been submitted through official military channels shortly after
the end of the war, by 1951. The Army refused to consider the special
circumstances surrounding Sakakida's case, namely, that the nature of
his intelligence work prevented his story from being appropriately
considered prior to the delimiting date. In fact, as I have alluded to
before, he was officially enjoined from talking about his intelligence
activities during World War II until 1972, more than 20 years after the
statutory deadline, when they were declassified and he was no longer
bound by his secrecy oath. As a result, Colonel Sakakida's
contributions to the allied victory have been overlooked by history and
by his country.
This is a tragic oversight. Colonel Sakakida has been inducted into
the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame. He has been honored repeatedly
by his Japanese-American comrades-in-arms, notably members of the all-
nisei Military Intelligence Service and the 100th Infantry Battalion/
442d Regimental Combat Team. At least one book, and chapters in many
others, has been devoted to his wartime accomplishments. And, he has
been awarded four different medals by the Philippine Government,
including the Philippine Legion of Honor award.
Thus, it seems that everyone but our own Government has recognized
Colonel Sakakida's heroic military service in the Philippines. Indeed,
the Army has never accorded Sakakida a single award or commendation for
bravery associated with his undercover work in the archipelago
Mr. President, I cannot help wondering if Colonel Sakakida's ethnic
heritage has had something to do with this slight. While the Army
apparently does not keep statistics on the ethnic breakdown of valor
awards, one could make the case that Japanese-Americans have been
underdecorated with respect to the Medal of Honor.
According to the book, ``Nisei: The Quiet Americans,'' by Bill
Hosokawa, no Japanese-American had been awarded a Medal of Honor at the
end of World War II. It was only when a member of the all-nisei 100th/
442d, the most highly decorated military unit in American history made
this known to Congress that the medal was awarded posthumously to one
of its members.
Hosokawa noted that a number of the Japanese-Americans in the 100th/
442d were recommended for the Medal of Honor, but in each case,
somewhere along the line, the request was denied and the lesser,
Distinguished Service Cross presented instead. As of the late 1960's,
according to Hosokawa, only one other Japanese-American received the
Medal of Honor, for his service in the Korean war--I have been unable
to find data on Vietnam or post-Vietnam conflicts, which is significant
in itself. I have no doubt nisei like Colonel Sakakida suffered racial
prejudice at the onset of hostilities with Japan; the unjust interment
of Japanese-American is proof enough of this.
There have been other allegations of discrimination in the medal
awarding process. Apparently, only one black American received the
Medal of Honor for World War I service, and that happened only after
the Army conducted research to determine if there had been any barriers
to black soldiers in the medal recognition process. And, recently, a
retired lieutenant colonel who is African-American alleged he was
denied the Medal of Honor for his heroics in Korea because of
discrimination.
The Army has contracted a second study on black winners of the Medal
of Honor in World War II that will presumably throw additional light on
this sensitive subject. However, I also understand there are no plans
to study Asian-Americans or any other ethnic group. I think this is a
shortcoming that should be addressed; I will soon be making a formal
request to the Department to correct this oversight.
In any event, Mr. President, whether Colonel Sakakida is a victim of
discrimination, an outdated law, or merely circumstance, his record is
compelling enough to warrant formal review.
My bill would accomplish this by directing the Secretary of the Army
to review Sakakida's World War II military records to determine if he
deserves appropriate recognition for his heroic efforts in the
Philippines. It would allow the Army to award him the Medal of Honor,
Distinguished Service Cross, or the Silver Star free of any statutory
time restrictions that may pertain to these awards, provided the review
of Sakakida's record is positive.
Let me stress that this bill does not direct the Army to award the
Medal of Honor to Colonel Sakakida outright, but to do so only if a
review of his records determines that he is indeed deserving of the
Nation's highest military decorations.
This bill has the strong support of the Japanese-American veterans
organizations as well as the Japanese-American community at large. I
also have a letter of support from the Philippine Embassy for this
effort. I ask unanimous consent that these messages of support, as well
as a copy of the bill, be included in the Record.
Mr. President, I do not offer this legislation in Richard Sakakida's
behalf. For Richard Sakakida is already amply bestowed with badges of
honor--in the scars that deface his body, in the medication he takes to
dull the constant pain he suffers from his wounds, and in the silent
knowledge that he rendered extraordinary services to the Nation in its
time of need. Rather, I offer this legislation in our collective
behalf. For in honoring individuals such as Richard Sakakida, we
reaffirm the value of the freedoms that men and women like him have
sacrificed so much to preserve, and thus do honor to ourselves.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
S. 2413
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARD OF MEDAL FOR HEROISM.
(a) Review of Records.--(1) The Secretary of the Army shall
review the military records of Richard M. Sakakida of
Fremont, California. The purpose of the review is to
determine whether the award to Richard M. Sakakida of a medal
or cross authorized under section 3741, 3742, or 3746 of
title 10, United States Code, for any action of Richard M.
Sakakida in the Philippines during World War II is
appropriate.
(2) The determination under paragraph (2) whether the award
of a medal or cross is appropriate shall be governed by the
standards that apply to the medal or cross concerned under
the provision of law authorizing the medal or cross.
(b) Award.--Notwithstanding section 3744(b) of title 10,
United States Code, the Secretary may award to Richard M.
Sakakida of Fremont, California, a medal or cross referred to
in subsection (a) if the Secretary determines in accordance
with the review required under that subsection that the award
of the medal or cross, as the case may be, is appropriate.
____
Japanese American Veterans
Association of Washington, DC,
Vienna, VA, August 19, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: The Japanese American Veterans
Association of Washington, D.C., whose members include many
veterans of the Military Intelligence Service of the US Army
in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II,
enthusiastically supports your legislative efforts to
encourage the Department of Defense to consider the awarding
of the Congressional Medal of Honor to LTC. Richard M.
Sakakida, USAF (Ret) in recognition of his heroic deeds as an
officer of the US Armed Forces in the Philippines during WW
II.
The Japanese American Veterans Association of Washington,
D.C. has been very aware of LTC Sakakida's heroic efforts
and, accordingly, honored him as one of the first recipients
of its American Patriot Award in October of 1993.
LTC Sakakida has been honored with numerous commendations
for his dedicated and heroic services and the Congressional
Medal of Honor would most certainly be the culmination of
national recognition of this gallant warrior's efforts.
The Japanese American Veterans Association of Washington,
D.C. appreciates and commends your effort to obtain proper
acknowledgement and commendation for LTC Sakakida, which he
so richly deserves.
If there is anything we can do to support your efforts,
please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely yours,
Henry S. Wakabayashi,
President.
____
Japanese American Veterans
Association of Washington, DC,
Vienna, VA, July 5, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senator from Hawaii,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: The Japanese American Veterans
Association of Washington, D.C. stands in complete support of
your effort to have our country award its highest military
decoration to Lt. Col. Richard M. Sakakida, USAF (Ret), for
his extraordinary service to country and his heroic acts of
self-sacrifice while in the Philippines as an undercover
agent of the U.S. Army during World War II.
A review of the remarkable deeds and unshakable devotion to
duty through the most inhuman of treatment and adverse
conditions ranks Lt. Col. Sakakida among those who have
served ``above and beyond'' the call of duty.
The passage of years or the resultant lack of the necessary
documentation must not be the basis of denying a great
American soldier his due recognition by a nation which he
served to loyally and courageously.
Sincerely,
Sunao Ishio,
Col. AUS (Ret),
President, JAVA.
MIS Northwest,
Seattle, WA, July 9, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senator from Hawaii,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: The Military Intelligence Service (MIS)
Northwest Association wholeheartedly supports the effort to
bestow upon Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Richard Sakakida the
Congressional Medal of Honor.
We understand that this effort has been going on for a
number of years without success mainly because of the passage
of time and the lack of necessary documentation. Richard
Sakakida is a unique American Hero. Time should not be a
factor. It is never too late to acknowledge his heroic
actions in the Philippines as a CIC agent which could only be
classified as services performed ``above and beyond the call
of duty.''
Documentation of his exploits should be properly recorded
in the annals of U.S. military intelligence. Any lack of
needed documentation could be supplemented by the records of
the Philippine government which saw fit to award him the
Philippine Legion of Honor medal. Additional documentation
could be mustered from some of the 500 Filipino resistance
fighters that he liberated.
We appreciate and endorse your effort to have the U.S. Army
rightfully recognize the heroism of Richard Sakakida.
Yours truly,
Kenichi (Ken) Sata,
President.
____
M.I.S. Association of Northern
California, Inc.,
San Francisco, CA, July 14, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senator From Hawaii, Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: I am in receipt of a letter from Mr.
Sunao Ishio, President of the Japanese American Veterans
Association of Washington, DC (JAVA). In this letter he
describes your initiative with the backing of other concerned
members of Congress, to introduce a private bill for LTC.
(Ret) Richard M. Sakakida to award him the Congressional
Medal of Honor.
On behalf of the M.I.S. Association of Northern California,
I wish to express our wholehearted appreciation and support
your worthwhile and meaningful special legislation. Richard
Sakakida is a member of our organization and over the past
three years, we have endeavored to tell his story and seek
recognition of his extraordinary service to his country in
time of war. As you may know, he was the keynote speaker of
the 50th MIS Anniversary Reunion in San Francisco/Monterey in
November 1991. In April 1994 a videotape was made, entitled
``Mission to Manila--The Richard Sakakida Story.'' A copy was
delivered to your office.
Also, for the past two years, members of MIS NORCAL have
been engaged in two separate actions concerning Richard
Sakakida recommendation for the Award of Purple Heart for
wounds sustained in the Philippines during WWII and an award
for Valor. The latter is for heroic personal sacrifice,
including the risk of his own life, to protect and save the
lives of fellow American servicemen, while he, himself as a
POW of the Japanese Military Forces. We have an unsung hero
in our midst, and we welcome this opportunity to assist and
support you in obtaining recognition for the highest military
decoration of our country for Richard Sakakida.
Sincerely,
Thomas T. Sasaki,
President.
____
The American Legion,
Chicago-Nisei Post No. 1183,
Chicago, IL, August 4, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: As an American Legion Post consisting
primarily of Nisei veterans of World War II (and subsequent
conflicts), we point with considerable pride at the
accomplishments of Richard Sakakida, whose remarkable
achievements during WWII went unheralded until recently.
By way of further background, enclosed is an article which
appeared in a CIC Journal in 1991. Those of us who met him at
recent linguist reunions were overwhelmed with the story.
Further delay in recognition of his heroic exploits would
be unconscionable, and we are in full support of your
introduction of a private Bill to award him (albeit
belatedly) the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Very truly yours,
Sam Yoshinari,
Post Commander.
____
Rocky Mountain Military
Intelligence Service Veterans Club,
Denver, CO, August 14, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senator from Hawaii, Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: Our MIS Veterans Club has been advised
of your very laudable efforts in getting official recognition
for Richard Sakakida for his valiant and largely unheralded
military efforts before and during World War II in the
Philippines. Clearly Richard Sakakida's heroic actions merit
the highest recognition that this nation can bestow.
We recognize that the accounts of Sakakida's contributions
are largely anecdotal because his circumstances dictated that
the presence of any official records would be damaging not
only to his personal safety but also to the diplomatic and
military efforts of the United States. Also his actions
during and after capture by the Japanese precluded any
written records.
Our club is composed of veterans with a Military
Intelligence background and we all recognize the important
contributions made by the citizens of the United States
through their knowledge and use of language. We therefore
heartily endorse and encourage your efforts in securing
belated but well-earned recognition for Richard Sakakida.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sueo Ito,
President.
____
Honolulu, HI,
July 27, 1994.
Hon. Daniel Akaka,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: The 442nd Veterans Club supports your
efforts to require the U.S. Army to consider awarding the
Congressional Medal of Honor, or other appropriate medal of
valor, to retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Richard M. Sakakida
for is heroic efforts in the Philippines during World War II.
As one of the first to be recruited into the all-Nisei
Military Intelligence Service, which provided invaluable
intelligence support to combat units during World War II
throughout the Pacific, Lt. Colonel Sakakida is one of the
most eminent of a group of men whose contributions to the
Allied victory never have been fully appreciated.
Lt. Col. Sakakida's incredible exploits while serving as an
undercover agent in the Philippine are the stuff of legend.
His story has been related in several histories and
recollections about World War II. In addition, he is a member
of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and a recipient of
the Philippine Legion of Honor. It is time the United States
government offered similar recognition for the tremendous
sacrifices by this brave man.
Thank you for your efforts to secure proper recognition for
Lt. Col. Sakakida. The 442nd fully supports your initiative.
Sincerely,
Henry Kuniyuki,
President, 442nd Veterans Club.
____
National Asian Pacific,
American Legal Consortium,
Los Angeles, CA, August 1, 1994.
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka: On behalf of the National Asian Pacific
American Legal Consortium, I am writing to support your
efforts to require the U.S. Army to consider awarding the
Congressional Medal of Honor, or other appropriate medal of
valor, to retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Richard M.
Sakakida for his heroic efforts in the Philippines during
World War II.
As one of the first to be recruited into the all-nisei
Military intelligence Service, which provided invaluable
intelligence support to combat units during World War II
throughout the Pacific. Lieutenant Colonel Sakakida is one of
the most eminent of a group of men whose contributions to the
Allied victory never have been fully acknowledged or
appreciated.
Lieutenant Colonel Sakadida's incredible exploits while
serving as an undercover agent in the Philippines are
legendary indeed. His story has been related in several
histories and recollections about World War II. In addition,
he is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and
a recipient of the Philippines Legion of Honor. It is time
the U.S. government offered similar recognition for the
tremendous sacrifices by this brave man.
Thank you again for your efforts to secure proper
recognition for Lieutenant Colonel Sakakida. The Consortium
fully supports your initiative.
The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium is a
not-for-profit, nonartisan organization whose mission is to
advance the legal and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans
through litigation, advocacy, public education, and public
policy development.
Very truly yours,
Philip Tajitsu Nash,
Executive Director.
____
Japanese American,
Citizens League,
Washington, DC, July 28, 1994.
The Hon. Daniel K. Akaka,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Akaka. The Japanese American citizens League
(JACL), the nation's largest Asian Pacific American civil
rights organization, strongly supports your legislative
initiative to require the United States Army to consider
awarding the Congressional Medal of Honor, or other
appropriate medal of valor, to retired Air Force Lieutenant
Colonel Richard M. Sakakida in recognition of his work as a
Military Intelligence Service (MIS) Officer.
Colonel Sakakida was among the first to be recruited for
all-nisei MIS unit which provided invaluable intelligence
support to combat units through the Pacific during World War
II. His extraordinary exploits while serving as an undercover
agent in the Philippines are legendary and have been well
chronicled. The government of the Philippines recently
awarded him the Philippine Legion of Honor for his heroic
actions as an undercover agent. he was also honored by being
installed in the MIS Hall of Fame.
Colonel Sakakida is worthy of recognition by the United
States Army for his meritorious service to the military
effort during World War II. JACL enthusiastically applauds
your efforts to secure proper acknowledgement for him.
Please let me know if there is anything we can do to
support your efforts.
Sincerely yours,
Karen K. Narasaki,
Representative.
____
Office of Veterans Affairs,
Embassy of the Philippines,
Washington, DC. July 25, 1994.
Mr. John A. Tagami,
Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Daniel K. Akaka,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Tagami: In August 1993 I recommended the award of
Philippine Legion of Honor to Lt Col. Richard Sakakida on the
basis of the Military Intelligence report compiled by Diane
L. Hamn, (copy enclosed). My recommendation was addressed to
his Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos, President of the
Philippines through the Secretary of National Defense. This
was referred to G2, Armed Forces of the Philippines which
went over the attached report. I do not know what exactly
happened. I can only surmise that the herein report had been
confirmed by records we have in the Philippines and President
Fidel V. Ramos approved the award.
Let me tell you that at one time, I was informed that the
recommendation may not be approved because of the
prescriptive period during which the achievement may be
recognized. I was in the Philippines when this question was
raised. I made appropriate representation that this
prescriptive period be waived, my reason being that the
recommendation for the award could not be made earlier
because the record of Lt. Col. Sakakida had been declassified
very much later.
I understand from Ms. Barbara Joseph that the same
objection is being raised in connection with this award of
Congressional Medal of Honor. Maybe the same argument may be
used.
Sincerely yours,
Tagumpay A. Nanadiego,
Special Presidential Representative.
______
By Mr. LOTT:
S. 2414. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue
temporary certificates of documentation with appropriate endorsement
for employment in the coastwise trade for the vessels Idun Viking, Liv
Viking, and Freja Viking; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
AUTHORIZING TEMPORARY COASTWIDE TRADE FOR THREE VESSELS
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation
which seeks to temporarily authorize the operation of three vessels in
the coastwise trade. Ordinarily, I do not favor any legislative relief
from section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 to allow operation
of vessels not constructed in the United States. In this particular
instance, however, temporary relief from the Merchant Marine Act will
increase jobs in the shipbuilding industry, support the addition of
maritime jobs, and expand the maritime transportation base.
I want to point out that the bill I am introducing today protects the
U.S.-build requirements of the Jones Act by stipulating that these
three vessels are temporarily authorized to operate in the coastwise
trade if, and only if, three criteria are met. These criteria are: The
owner of these vessels must execute a binding contract for construction
of replacement vessels within 9 months of enactment of this provision;
all necessary repairs required to operate these vessels in the
coastwise trade must be performed in shipyards in the United States;
and each of these vessels must be manned by U.S. citizens.
If this legislation is adopted, jobs in the U.S. maritime industry
will be increased and new opportunities for maritime passenger
transportation in high demand areas will be created. Without this
authorization, these opportunities--including the addition of over 100
new shipyard jobs--will not occur.
This legislation is not permanent. Expiration of this legislative
authority will occur four years after enactment or upon date of
delivery of replacement vessels, whichever comes first. I have
intentionally drafted this expiration provision as a protection for the
existing U.S. shipyard industrial base.
I appreciate the attention of my colleagues and yield the
floor.
______
By Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Bumpers, Mr. Boren, and
Mrs. Boxer):
S. 2415. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relating
to the treatment of partnership investment expenses under the
alternative minimum tax; to the Committee on Finance.
partnership investment income act
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation
providing tax relief for general partners of venture capital funds.
This legislation is needed to reduce disincentives in our current tax
system which discourage entrepreneurial growth and job creation. It is
also needed to encourage the continued private sector development of
vital new health care technologies.
The legislation will encourage venture capital investment in growth-
oriented businesses by permitting a partner in an investment
partnership, filing as an individual, to deduct certain investment
expenses for alternative minimum tax purposes. This provision was
approved by both Houses of Congress in 1992 as part of H.R. 11, the
Revenue Act. As my colleagues know, the legislation was vetoed by
President Bush.
Venture capital firms play a vital and active role in assisting the
development of emerging companies by providing critically needed
capital and assistance. Their efforts translate directly into job
creation.
Many of my colleagues are well aware of the significant contributions
of the industry to capital formation, but less familiar with the
crucial role venture capital firms play in developing new medical
technologies and health care delivery systems. The venture capital
industry devotes approximately one-third of its resources, or $1
billion a year, to health-related companies. Given its significant
healthcare contributions, I believe that it is uniquely appropriate to
introduce this bill as the Senate continues its historic debate on
health care reform.
Examples of successful health care companies that have benefitted
directly from venture capital abound. In my State of Connecticut, a
number of examples quickly come to mind. In Avon, Value Health started
just 7 years ago with venture capital assistance, and has become one of
the largest providers of managed health services in the country. The
company now employs 3,100 employees, and is projected to generate $900
million in revenue this year. Value Health, which is one of the 100
fastest growing corporations in America, contributes significantly to
the economy of our State, which continues to suffer greatly from
defense cutbacks.
Another successful example is Merocel Corporation, located in Mystic,
CT. Merocel began 4 years ago with the infusion of venture capital. The
company now employs over 100 people and generates approximately $10
million in annual revenue. Merocel is one of a few growing employers in
southeastern Connecticut providing a critical economic boost to the
local economy.
Venture capital provides a critical and invaluable source of funding
to the development of improved, and cost-effective health care
technologies. According to the National Venture Capital Association,
venture capital supported the creation of 8 out of the top 10 firms
experiencing major breakthroughs in research and new therapies.
This legislation is needed to bolster the critical role private
sector investment plays in advancing our Nation's health care research
and development goals.
It is also needed to eliminate financial disincentives in our tax
code which impede the development of new, innovative products.
Enactment of this legislation will encourage private sector investment
and growth.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
______
By Mr. BRADLEY (for himself, Mr. Wofford, and Mr. Wellstone):
S. 2416. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health And Human
Services to award grants and contracts to establish community response
teams and a technical assistance center to address the development and
support of community response teams; to the Committee on Labor and
Human Resources.
domestic violence community response team act
Mr. BRADLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the
Domestic Violence Community Response Team Act of 1994. It is a bill
designed to fortify America's front lines in the fight against spousal
abuse and domestic violence in America. Those front lines are not found
here in Washington, but in community-based organizations throughout the
country.
Domestic violence is a social sickness, and women and children are
its most common casualties. Violence against women in the home is a
heinous crime being committed behind locked doors and pulled shades in
cities and towns across America: studies have shown that one half of
all women who are murdered in America are killed by their male
partners. Studies have also shown that violence against women in the
home causes more total injuries to women than rape, muggings, and car
accidents combined.
When a woman is a victim of domestic violence, she needs to have a
place to go. She needs someone who knows what her legal rights are, and
how to prevent future beatings from occurring. She needs counseling and
protection for herself and her children, and she needs support.
I have said again and again that much of what must be done to counter
the rising tide of violence in America lies beyond the reach of the
Federal Government. The responsibility is shared and the fight must be
won by individuals and communities across this country. Mr. President,
nothing provides a better example of this than the community-based
organizations that work with local law enforcement agencies every day
to protect the rights--and the lives--of battered women.
Our police do an outstanding job of fighting crime in our
communities, but often they don't have the resources or the time to
provide domestic violence victims with the special attention they need.
Community Response Teams work in tandem with police to help victims of
domestic violence right when a crisis occurs. By working together,
community response teams and police can provide victims with the
services so essential to them after they have been battered or beaten
in their home. The bill I am introducing today will increase the
ability of communities to coordinate all the resources available to
citizens who are victims of domestic abuse.
The cooperation between volunteers and law enforcement groups is
essential to providing services to victims of domestic violence. Such
programs exist today, and they work. They are working in towns like
South River, NJ. There the community has come together with the local
police, led by Chief Frank Eib, to form a community response team that
has made a tremendous difference to the well-being of families in the
community. With the help of people like Paula Bollentin, a police
dispatcher who volunteers her time to help with a crisis intervention
team. South River is winning its fight against domestic violence.
Mr. President, South River is a model to emulate, and the legislation
I am introducing today will enable communities across the country to do
just that. Because it is through partnerships such as the ones that
exist between police and crisis intervention teams that communities can
best combat the scourge of violence in the home.
Women in my State have been able to find shelter, obtain medical
treatment, receive counseling, and protect their children from the rage
of violent spouses--all due to the efforts of strong community-based
programs. Through them, women can see that they are not alone.
Mr. President, the legislation I am introducing today will increase
the ability of communities to pool their resources in the fight against
violence in the home. The Domestic Violence Community Response Team Act
of 1994 will provide funding to establish new partnerships between
community teams the and police, and will enable existing ones to grow.
Through this legislation, law enforcement officials will be able to
help more women in more big cities and small towns across America.
The bill enables the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human
Services to award grants and contracts to organizations whose primary
purpose involves working with police to intervene in cases of domestic
violence. These teams will have the ability to respond to the specific
needs of different racial and ethnic communities across the country.
Most importantly, they will work closely with police to provide
services to victims of domestic violence.
The bill will also establish a National Technical Assistance Center
to provide community-based organizations with information, training,
and materials on the development and support of community response
teams. This national facility will provide much-needed support to
community programs, including help to local groups in starting new
programs.
If domestic violence is to be obliterated in our society, we need to
provide communities with the resources they need to prevent instances
of violence and protect victims from further abuse. The Domestic
Violence Community Response Team Act of 1994, by strengthening the
partnerships that exist between crisis intervention teams and local
police, will help to provide those resources. By doing so it will
strengthen the lines of defense that already exist within our
communities.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in
the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 2416
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Domestic Violence Community
Response Team Act of 1994''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to--
(1) establish and strengthen the partnership between law
enforcement and community groups in order to assist victims
of domestic violence;
(2) provide early intervention and follow up services in
order to prevent future incidents of domestic violence; and
(3) establish a central technical assistance center for the
collection and provision of programmatic information and
technical assistance.
SEC. 3. GRANTS AUTHORIZED FOR COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''), is authorized
to award grants to encourage eligible entities to develop
community response teams to combat domestic violence. Grants
shall be awarded in a manner that ensures geographic and
demographic diversity.
(b) Maximum Amount.--The Secretary shall not award a grant
under this section in an amount which exceeds $500,000.
(c) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
section for a period not to exceed 3 years.
(d) Eligible Entity.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means a nonprofit, community-based
organization whose primary purpose involves domestic violence
prevention. The organization must have a proven track record
of expertise in providing services to victims of domestic
violence and collaborating with existing service providers
and support agencies in the community.
(2) Additional requirements.--An eligible entity shall--
(A) act in partnership with local law enforcement agencies
to carry out the purposes of this Act; and
(B) understand, be able to respond adequately to, and if
possible reflect the racial, ethnic, and lingual diversity of
the community.
(e) Role of Community Response Teams.--Community response
teams established pursuant to this section shall--
(1) provide community advocates to work (in conjunction
with local police) with victims immediately after incidents
of domestic violence;
(2) educate victims about the legal process with respect to
restraining orders and civil and criminal charges;
(3) discuss immediate safety arrangements and child care
needs, and educate victims about resources provided by local
agencies;
(4) provide for follow-up services and counseling with
local support agencies; and
(5) educate victims regarding abuse tactics, including
increased incidence of violence that occurs after repeated
episodes of violence.
(f) Applications.--
(1) In general.--Applications for grants pursuant to this
section shall be submitted to the Secretary at such time, in
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Secretary may reasonably require.
(2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) include a complete description of the eligible entity's
plan for operating a community-based partnership between law
enforcement officials and community organizations;
(B) demonstrate effective community leadership, commitment
to community action, and commitment to working with affected
populations;
(C) provide for periodic project evaluation through written
report and analysis in order to assist in applying successful
programs to other communities; and
(D) demonstrate an understanding of the population to be
served (racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic characteristics
which influence women's roles and affect treatment).
SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER.
(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award a
contract to an eligible entity to serve as a technical
assistance center under this Act. The tedchnical assistance
center shall--
(1) serve as a national information, training, and material
development source for the development and support of
community response teams nationwide; and
(2) provide technical support and input to community
programs, including helping local groups start their own
programs and providing training for community volunteer staff
persons.
(b) Eligible Entity.--For purposes of this section, the
term ``eligible entity'' means a nonprofit organization with
a primary focus on domestic violence, prevention and a proven
track record of expertise in providing technical assistance,
information, training, and resource development on some
aspect of domestic violence service provision or prevention.
An eligible entity shall be selected by the Secretary under
this section based on competence, experience, and a proven
ability to conduct national-level organization and program
development. The eligible entity shall provide the Secretary
with evidence of support from community-based domestic
violence organizations for the designation of the eligible
entity as the technical assistance center.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for
fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998 to carry out the provisions
of this Act of which $300,000 shall be available for a grant
under section 4. Not to exceed 5 percent of any grant made
under this Act may be used by the grantee for administrative
purposes.
____________________