them off from the exclusion we fittingly give unto the Japanese and extend unto them what we have accorded for granted to European and other peoples. In view of these facts, and more, we beg you to give us a chance to live normal American lives. We beg you to set an early hearing on bills now in your committee regarding the granting of immigration and naturalization rights to Filipinos and Filipinos residing in continental United States. Again we thank you. RAMON P. POBRE, Secretary, Filipino National Council. Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, FILIPINO TRIANGULAR CLUB, Kansas City, Mo., September 4, 1944. Chairman, House Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, DEAR SIR: On behalf of the Filipino Triangular Club, permit me to take this letter as means to express its ardent hope for the enactment of one of the bills to naturalize Filipinos. May I ask that the Committee on Immigration and Naturalization will hold hearings on the bills now in its hands as soon as it is possible. Hoping for your kind attention and favorable consideration, I beg to remain. Respectfully yours, JUAN T. BAYSA, President. RESOLUTION Whereas Filipino committees all over the United States have made themselves a vital part of American life by contributing their best; and Whereas Filipinos are fighting on all fronts, are in war industries and in American ships sailing the seven seas in the defense of the American way of life in this global war: and Whereas Filipinos, although owing allegience to the United States, are denied the rights of citizenship: Therefore, be it Resolved, by the crew member of the S. S. Argentina, That it strongly endorse H. R. 4229 and commend the Honorable Harry Sheppard, Congressman from California, for his gesture of good will toward the Filipinos. Joseph F. Chudoba, Ralph Gerowitz, Vernon Mitchell, Frank Baines, RESOLUTION Whereas Filipino communities all over the United States have made themselves a vital part of American life by contributing their best; and Whereas Filipinos are fighting on all fronts, are in war industries and in American ships sailing the Seven Seas in the defense of the American way of life in this global war; and Whereas Filipinos, although owing allegience to the United States, are denied the rights of citizenship: Therefore be it Resolved, by the Crew of the S. S. Argentina, Members of the National Maritime Union, That it strongly endorse H. R. 4229 and commend the Honorable Harry Sheppard Congressman from California, for his gesture of good-will toward the Filipinos. Albert Sak, 432 East Seventh Street, New York City; Bernard Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTIEN, CHRISTIAN FRIENDS FOR RACIAL EQUALITY, Chairman, Immigration and Naturalization Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. Seattle, Wash. DEAR SIR: AS corresponding secretary and in accordance with the wishes expressed by unanimous vote in the regular monthly meeting on August 15 of Christian Friends, for Racial Equality, I write to convey to you and appeal that citizenship rights be conferred upon Filipinos residing in the United States of America. Trusting that appeal will meet your earnest and immediate consideration, we are Sincerely yours, VIVIENNE L. PENICK, Corresponding Secretary, Christian Friends for Racial Equality. The Honorable SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. DICKSTEIN: In connection with H. R. 4826, a bill to permit resident Filipinos to apply for American citizenship, may we ask that you get a reference to the Justice and State Departments. I understand that Colonel Romolo, the Filipino Delegate, asked to get reports from those departments and I am sure that Mr. McGehee, the author of the bill, desires it. In view of the Philippine campaign and the effect of such a bill on our relations in the Pacific in countering Japanese propaganda, it seems to all of us urgent that prompt action should be taken. I hope that you will concur. With personal regards. Sincerely yours, ROGER BALDWIN. CHICAGO, ILL., November 21, 1944. Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, Chairman of Immigration and Naturalization Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.: The Bataan Relief Organization of Illinois urges you to support fully bill H. R. 4826. Our association with the Filipinos has convinced us of their sincerity and they are deserving of a citizenship status. Mrs. FLORENCE WHITMER, President. SEPTEMBER 20, 1944. Mrs. FRANCISCA MAGLAYA, President, the Philippine Woman's Club of Chicago, Chicago, Ill. DEAR MRS. MAGLAYA: This will acknowledge the receipt of your letter of September 16 urging favorable action on H. R. 4826 and similar bills pending before our committee. You may rest assured that your communication will be brought to the attention of the committes. Sincerely yours, SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, M. C. Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, THE PHILIPPINE WOMAN'S CLUB OF CHICAGO, Chairman, Immigration and Naturalization Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: We, the Philippine Woman's Club of Chicago, are indeed very glad to know that you have in your committee several bills whose purpose is to give the Filipino people certain immigration and naturalization rights in the United States. The Filipinos, as you must have know them, heard about them, or read about them, have ardent hopes in attaining their ideals for freedom, likewise their ardent hopes for becoming American citizens. At all times the Filipinos love to preserve their ideals for a peaceful nation and are determined to show their valor in times of war. During this time of conflict the Filipinos have shown to the people of the United States the kind of people to which they should be classified and have proven themselves worthy of praise, then, could they not be given also the chance to prove their worthiness as citizens of this country? Mr. Chairman, we have no greater desire now than to see something favorably done about these bills, particularly the McGehee bill, H. R. 4826. We therefore earnestly urge you to give an early committee hearing on them, and to use your personal and official influence to the end that they may be finally approved. Respectfully yours, Mrs. FRANCISCA MAGLAYA. Mr. M. T. ALLEN, OCTOBER 4, 1944. Chicago, Ill., Branch, Chicago, Ill. President, National Alliance of Postal Employees, DEAR SIR: Thank you for your letter of September 26 and the enclosed resolution adopted by your organization in support of H. R. 4826. You may rest assured that your communication will be brought to the committee's attention. Sincerely yours, Clerk. NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES, CHICAGO, ILL., BRANCH, Chicago, Ill., September 26, 1944. Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, Immigration and Naturalization Committee, DEAR SIR: In regular meeting of September 3, 1944, this organization adopted the resolution, a copy of which I am enclosing, with the view of removing a practice that's done a great injustice to one of our gallant allies, the Filipinos. We trust that you will use your good office to urge an early hearing on H. R. 4826, thereby making our great Nation more democratic than is now apparent. Thanking you kindly, we are, Very sincerely yours, M. T. ALLEN, EMMETT C. DAIGLE, RESOLUTION OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES, CHICAGO BRANCH, ENDORSING FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP Whereas for nearly 50 years the Filipino people have proven beyond doubt their love for, and worthiness to, the ideals and principles of democracy and freedom; and Whereas in the defense of those same ideals and principles they have fought and died side by side with our people in two World Wars, and their heroism at Bataan and Corregidor cries for world-wide acclaim and recognition that valor may be given its just reward; and Whereas Filipinos by virtue of our exclusion immigration laws, and in spite of their sacrifices, are barred from American citizenship and immigration rights and classed in the same unsavory light as our enemies and theirs, the Japanese, thus giving the latter much propaganda value against our allied war efforts: Therefore we the members of the Chicago Branch, National Alliance of Postal Employees, do hereby Resolve, in meeting duly and officially assembled, to endorse and work for the enactment of H. R. 4826, designed to give Filipinos immigration and naturalization rights comparable to those lately accorded their neighbors, our allies, the Chinese; be it also hereby Resolved, That we of this organization strongly urge the chairman and members of the House Committee on Immigration to give H. R. 4826 an early hearing and a favorable report. Hon. SAMUEL DICKSTEIN, RESOLUTION COMMITTEE, OTIS M. BUCKNER, Chairman. EMMETT C. DAIGLE, Recording Secreteary. THE AMERICAN LEGION, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, Washington, D. C., October 20, 1944. Chairman, Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN: The American Legion at its last national convention adopted a resolution urging the naturalization of Filipinos and endorsing by number the bill H. R. 4826, by Representative McGehee. If and when hearings are held on this measure, I shall appreciate it if a representative of the American Legion may be heard. Sincerely yours, |