[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 62 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                     February 12, 2003.
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 January 23, 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.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.