Speech #840066285

Chairman. this amendment is offered because of the need for clarification of section 311 (b) of H. R. 6382. The amendment adds to the present language. line 14. page 35. the following additional clarifying words: "or. such natural persons who would be eligible to file claims under section 303 (1)." It is fair to state that the hearings in connection with the above bill and the various changes which have been made in language clearly point to the fact that the committee intended that as to war damage claims eligibility status. that is. the right to file a claim. was not to be solely limited to persons who were nationals of the United States at the time of the loss. as well as at this time. but there are also to be included those persons who were residents of the United States prior to the time of the loss. had filed an intention to become citizens and whose naturalization papers were being processed at the time of the loss. where such persons became citizens of the United States prior to September 15. 1947. the date of the signing of the peace treaties with the Balkan countries. It will be recalled that it was felt that where a person had such residence. was subject to the draft. and otherwise demonstrated acts of allegiance to our sovereign. that such persons should not be left unprotected and without the right to file claims. Accordingly. when the bill was reported out of committee. the language was made clear and definite in section 303 (1) that persons who were in the naturalization process prior to September 15. 1947. and who became citizens prior to September 15. 1947. are granted eligibility status with reference to war damage claims. however. when the language was written in section 311 (b). which deals with indirect losses through ownership of stock in an ineligible corporation or other legal entities. through inadvertence the language was narrowed so that eligibility as the section now reads would be limited to nationals at the time of loss. and the broader base ofsection 303 (1) is seemingly narrowed to exclude persons with residence. persons who had also declared an intention to become permanent residents and citizens and who did become citizens. It is this ambiguity and unintended inconsistency that the above amendment is designed to clarify. The foregoing point can be amplified by illustration.