| Patrick "Pat" G. Ganio, Sr. Washington, D.C. |
For his untiring efforts and dedication for the cause of Filipino
World War II veterans. The mission has now earned its
recognition by the U.S. Government. It's a red feather on Pat's
cap.
The name of Pat Ganio, Sr. is synonymous to the Filipino World
War II veterans. With unselfish concern towards the welfare of the
many Filipinos who fought side by side with the American forces to
defend Bataan and Corregidor in 1942, Pat became actively
involved in the Non-Governmental Movement for Filipino WW II
Veterans crusade for equity and justice against the U.S.
government. From the Philippines he brought the mission to the
United States without looking forward for any material
compensation or reward.
He then organized the Filipino Veterans Families Foundation, Inc.
in order to assume a clout and a credible representation in dealing
with the government and non-government organizations on the
veterans problems. With a handful of veterans associates who are
likewise willing and dedicated for the veterans cause, Pat Ganio,
Sr. led the research on the historical, moral, and legal background
on the long standing Philippine veterans problems, the facts and
World War II veterans. The mission has now earned its
recognition by the U.S. Government. It's a red feather on Pat's
cap.
The name of Pat Ganio, Sr. is synonymous to the Filipino World
War II veterans. With unselfish concern towards the welfare of the
many Filipinos who fought side by side with the American forces to
defend Bataan and Corregidor in 1942, Pat became actively
involved in the Non-Governmental Movement for Filipino WW II
Veterans crusade for equity and justice against the U.S.
government. From the Philippines he brought the mission to the
United States without looking forward for any material
compensation or reward.
He then organized the Filipino Veterans Families Foundation, Inc.
in order to assume a clout and a credible representation in dealing
with the government and non-government organizations on the
veterans problems. With a handful of veterans associates who are
likewise willing and dedicated for the veterans cause, Pat Ganio,
Sr. led the research on the historical, moral, and legal background
on the long standing Philippine veterans problems, the facts and
on the long standing Philippine veterans problems, the facts and issues involved in search for equity and
justice. He, together with his associates, patiently gathered and collated pertinent documents and records
from the library of Congress, the National Archives, Truman's library, MacArthur's Memorial library, historical
and newspaper accounts.
In 1989, during his incumbency as President of the Filipino Veterans Families Foundation, Inc., based in
Washington, D.C., Pat hosted the "First War Veterans Luncheon Conference" held at Fort Myer, Arlington,
Virginia. This conference was envisioned to secure the commitment and to launch the Philippine crusade for
justice to Filipino WW II veterans by the teams of Philippine veterans leaders and legislators invited to speak.
This was well attended by top veterans leaders from the different parts of the United States. The Philippine
delegation was led by no less than Col. Emmanuel Ocampo, President of the Veterans Federation of the
Philippines. Congressional leaders were also represented to this affair by then Congressmen Oscar Orbos
and Eduardo Pilapil. The result of this conference was the unequivocal commitment by those concerned to
pursue the veterans cause, a commitment that was extended to Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
Through the assistance of Col. Nicanor T. Jimenez, the preparation of a position paper on the Philippine
veterans problem was encouraged. This position paper was then submitted to the Philippine Government
and became the basis of the current mission. This also caused the creation of the Veterans Affairs Office in
the Philippine Embassy to pursue the veterans claim.
Pat likewise initiated and proposed the Office's plan for a nationwide forum for public information on the
issues of the veterans problems. For the grassroot lobby campaign, strategic locations over the U.S. have
been selected.
To enable and foster a better compehension of the veterans cause Pat co-authored the "Handbook on the
Philippine Veterans Issue," a primer on the veterans claim for justice.
On this occasion, it is therefore worthwhile to mention some of Pat's endeavors to attain his efforts to uplift the
morale of Filipino WW II veterans:
Pat G. Ganio, Sr. was born in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Philippines and married to the former Nieves Dolor Corpuz.
His six children all excelled in their respective fields of endeavor. With the untiring efforts and dedication that
Pat Ganio, Sr. has for the Filipino veterans cause, it is now reaping its golden harvest -- the recognition by the
U.S. government of all the Filipino WWII veterans.#
justice. He, together with his associates, patiently gathered and collated pertinent documents and records
from the library of Congress, the National Archives, Truman's library, MacArthur's Memorial library, historical
and newspaper accounts.
In 1989, during his incumbency as President of the Filipino Veterans Families Foundation, Inc., based in
Washington, D.C., Pat hosted the "First War Veterans Luncheon Conference" held at Fort Myer, Arlington,
Virginia. This conference was envisioned to secure the commitment and to launch the Philippine crusade for
justice to Filipino WW II veterans by the teams of Philippine veterans leaders and legislators invited to speak.
This was well attended by top veterans leaders from the different parts of the United States. The Philippine
delegation was led by no less than Col. Emmanuel Ocampo, President of the Veterans Federation of the
Philippines. Congressional leaders were also represented to this affair by then Congressmen Oscar Orbos
and Eduardo Pilapil. The result of this conference was the unequivocal commitment by those concerned to
pursue the veterans cause, a commitment that was extended to Philippine President Corazon Aquino.
Through the assistance of Col. Nicanor T. Jimenez, the preparation of a position paper on the Philippine
veterans problem was encouraged. This position paper was then submitted to the Philippine Government
and became the basis of the current mission. This also caused the creation of the Veterans Affairs Office in
the Philippine Embassy to pursue the veterans claim.
Pat likewise initiated and proposed the Office's plan for a nationwide forum for public information on the
issues of the veterans problems. For the grassroot lobby campaign, strategic locations over the U.S. have
been selected.
To enable and foster a better compehension of the veterans cause Pat co-authored the "Handbook on the
Philippine Veterans Issue," a primer on the veterans claim for justice.
On this occasion, it is therefore worthwhile to mention some of Pat's endeavors to attain his efforts to uplift the
morale of Filipino WW II veterans:
- He sought and have had series of strategy meetings on the successful passage of the naturalization
bill with the Staff of Congressman Dymally and Senator Inouye during the hectic move in pushing the
bill in Congress to become part of the "Immigration Reform Act of 1990" as approved into law. - He was first of 5 Filipino speakers that testified in favor of H.R. 243 sponsord by Cong. Panetta, the bill
proposing for the establishment of a Filipino Veteran Memorial in a place in Washington, D.C. - On September 21, 1989, he led a group of 11 veterans that testified in favor of the naturalization bills
for Filipinos, and specifically for H.R. 525 authored and sponsored by Congressman Mervyn
Dymally providing for the privilege of naturalization to Filipino WW II veterans. - Last October 24, 1990, Pat attended to witness the deliberations on the Immigration Reform Act 358
authored and sponsored by Sen. Kennedy and Sen. Simpson that finally embodied the naturlization
provision granting the privilege of naturalization to Filipino WW II veterans. - Early this year, Pat participated in the Consultative Conference of Filipino veterans leaders invited by
the Veterans Affairs Office who came from different locations all over the United States. This resulted
in the organization of the national umbrella organization, "FILIPINO VETERANS, INC.," of which he
was chosen interim National Chairman with authority to organize the National Directorate officers. - Last April, Pat Ganio, Sr. was invited by various veterans group in the Philippines to keynote on the
confronting problems of Filipino veterans in applying for naturalization under the new law. He also
spoke on benefits claim after obtaining the law on naturlization.
Pat G. Ganio, Sr. was born in Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Philippines and married to the former Nieves Dolor Corpuz.
His six children all excelled in their respective fields of endeavor. With the untiring efforts and dedication that
Pat Ganio, Sr. has for the Filipino veterans cause, it is now reaping its golden harvest -- the recognition by the
U.S. government of all the Filipino WWII veterans.#
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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