13 February 2003
House Passes Resolution Honoring U.S. POWs from Vietnam Era
(H. Res. 62 calls for full accounting of missing servicemen) (1030)
The House of Representatives passed a resolution February 12 honoring
the sacrifices of American soldiers in the Vietnam war and called for
a full accounting of the missing in action from that conflict.
Representative Duncan Hunter (Republican of California), the chairman
of the House Armed Services Committee, brought up House Resolution 62
(H. Res. 62) for consideration.
The House approved the resolution in a 424-0 vote during the 30th
anniversary of Operation Homecoming, which saw the return of American
prisoners of war (POWs) from their captors as part of the Peace Accord
between the United States and communist-ruled North Vietnam.
H. Res. 62 says the Congress, acting on behalf of all Americans, "will
not forget the 1,902 members of the United States Armed Forces who
remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict and will continue to
press for a full accounting of all of these members."
Following is the text of House Resolution 62 from the Congressional
Record:
(begin text)
RECOGNIZING THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE OF
UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES HELD AS
PRISONERS OF WAR DURING THE VIETNAM CONFLICT
AND CALLING FOR A FULL ACCOUNTING OF THOSE
WHO REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR
House of Representatives
February 12, 2003
Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the resolution (H. Res. 62) recognizing the courage and sacrifice of
those members of the United States Armed Forces who were held as
prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and calling for a full
accounting of the 1,902 members of the Armed Forces who remain
unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 62
Whereas recent world events have brought Americans closer together,
while reinvigorating our patriotism, reminding us of our precious
liberties and freedoms, and giving us a greater appreciation for the
men and women of the United States Armed Forces who daily defend our
homeland;
Whereas the honor and valor of past and present members of the United
States Armed Forces have inspired many young people, once again, to
serve their country;
Whereas participation by the United States Armed Forces in combat
operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict resulted in
more than 700 American military personnel being taken prisoner by
enemy forces;
Whereas American military personnel who were taken prisoner were held
in numerous prisoner of war facilities, the most notorious of which
was Hoa Lo Prison in downtown Hanoi, Vietnam, which was dubbed by
prisoners held there as the ``Hanoi Hilton'';
Whereas on January 23, 1973, the United States and North Vietnam
jointly announced the terms of a cease-fire agreement, which included
the release of prisoners of war;
Whereas the return of the American prisoners of war to the United
States and to their families and comrades was designated Operation
Homecoming;
Whereas on February 12, 1973, the first group of American prisoners of
war were released at airfields near Hanoi and Loc Ninh, and the last
Operation Homecoming repatriation took place on April 1, 1973;
Whereas many American military personnel who were taken prisoner as a
result of combat in Southeast Asia have not returned to their loved
ones and their fate remains unknown;
Whereas American military personnel who were prisoners of war in
Southeast Asia were routinely subjected to brutal mistreatment,
including beatings, torture, starvation, and denial of medical
attention and outside information, and were frequently isolated from
each other and prohibited from communicating with one another;
Whereas the prisoners, at great personal risk, nevertheless devised a
means to communicate with each other through a code transmitted by
tapping on cell walls;
Whereas the prisoners held in the Hanoi Hilton included then-Major
Samuel R. Johnson, United States Air Force, now a Member of Congress
from the Third District of Texas, who was shot down on April 16, 1966,
while flying his 25th mission over North Vietnam, who spent more than
half of his time as a prisoner in solitary confinement, conducted
himself with such valor as to be labeled by the enemy as a die-hard
resister, and, notwithstanding the tremendous suffering inflicted upon
him, demonstrated an unfailing devotion to duty, honor and country,
who, during his military career, was awarded two Silver Stars, two
Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with
``V'' device for valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three
Outstanding Unit awards, who retired from active duty in 1979 in the
grade of colonel, and who personifies the verse in Isaiah 40:31,
``They shall mount with wings as eagles'';
Whereas the American military personnel who were prisoners of war
during the Vietnam conflict truly represent all that is best about
America;
Whereas the 30th anniversary of Operation Homecoming begins on
February 12, 2003, and ends on April 1, 2003;
Whereas the world acknowledges that the words inscribed by an American
prisoner of war in a Hanoi Hilton cell, ``Freedom has a taste to those
who fight and die for it that the protected will never know'', are
bitterly true and eternally appreciated; and
Whereas the Nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriots and
their families for their courage, heroism, and exemplary service: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses its deepest gratitude for, and calls upon all Americans
to reflect upon and to show their gratitude for, the courage and
sacrifice of the brave members of the United States Armed Forces,
including particularly Sam Johnson of Texas, who were held as
prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict;
(2) urges States and localities to honor the courage and sacrifice of
those prisoners of war with appropriate ceremonies and activities;
(3) acting on behalf of all Americans, will not forget the 1,902
members of the United States Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for
from the Vietnam conflict and will continue to press for a full
accounting of all of these members; and
(4) honors all of the members of the United States Armed Forces who
have fought and died in the defense of freedom.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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