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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Cisneros
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
1/16/08
1/16/08 HB
SHORT TITLE Congressional Gold Medal for Bataan Veterans
SJM
1
ANALYST Escudero
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY08
FY09
NFI
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
No Response from Veterans Service Department
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Joint Memorial requests the New Mexico congressional delegation to introduce
legislation to award the congressional gold medal for Bataan veterans.
•
Beginning December 8, 1941, in the critical early hours of World War II, the 200th coast
artillery of the New Mexico national guard was in the first line of defense in the United
States commonwealth territory of the Philippines against the attack launched by Japanese
forces immediately after Japan's December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
•
During the 1941 Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the 200th coast artillery of the New
Mexico national guard stood between the invading Japanese forces and the freedom of
the American and Filipino peoples.
•
The 200th coast artillery was the first to fire upon Japanese forces and the last to put
down their rifles when ordered to surrender on April 9, 1942.
•
Before being ordered to surrender, the men of the 200th coast artillery made a valiant
stand in the face of terrible odds, while suffering through months of enemy attack with
outmoded equipment; a scarcity of food, medicine and ammunition; and diseases such as
malaria, dysentery and beriberi that ravaged them to utter exhaustion.
•
The men of the 200th coast artillery were captured by Japanese forces on April 9, 1942
and, in an already starved, exhausted and sickened state, they had to endure the infamous
pg_0002
Senate Joint Memorial 1 – Page 2
Bataan death march, during which Japanese soldiers forced the men of the 200th coast
artillery to march for six long days in scorching tropical heat while starving and
brutalizing the men along the way.
•
The courageous men of the 200th coast artillery endured four years in prisoner of war
camps, where they were forced into slave labor and lost scores of their ranks to
starvation, disease and brutality.
•
The men who returned home contributed immeasurably to the country's growth as
members of the "greatest generation".
•
The 200th coast artillery received four presidential unit citations and the Philippine
presidential citation for their valorous defense of the American and Filipino peoples.
•
The congressional gold medal is considered the nation's highest civilian award and the
most distinguished award given by the United States congress for citizens who represent
the best characteristics of the American people;
•
That the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to introduce
legislation to award the congressional gold medal to the men of the 200th coast artillery
of the New Mexico national guard.
The Memorial further resolves that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the
New Mexico congressional delegation and to the Governor.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
There is not appropriation attached to this legislation. The cost will be determined by how many
veterans will be receiving this award and the cost of each individual medal.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
This Memorial is to honor and award the congressional gold medal to the men of the 200
th
coast
artillery of the New Mexico national guard for these men represent the best characteristics of the
American people and this congressional gold medal highest civilian award and the most
distinguished award given by the United States congress.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
The decoration is awarded to an individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to
the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
The cost for each of these gold medals will be collaborated with Federal Funds.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
By not honoring our Veterans for their exemplified bravery and strength could create poor moral
for those who are currently serving in the National Guard.
PME/bb