[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 840 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 840

 Honoring the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in 
   the Vietnam War, and expressing the appreciation of the House of 
 Representatives for the service and sacrifice of all veterans of the 
                              Vietnam era.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 7, 2004

 Mr. Pitts (for himself, Mr. Sam Johnson of Texas, Mr. Gilchrest, Mr. 
 Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Issa, Mr. Goode, Mr. Wilson of 
South Carolina, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Wolf, 
  Mr. Osborne, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Deal of Georgia, Mr. Gary G. Miller of 
 California, Mr. Bachus, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Frost, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. 
Marshall, and Mr. Pearce) submitted the following resolution; which was 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the members of the United States Armed Forces who served in 
   the Vietnam War, and expressing the appreciation of the House of 
 Representatives for the service and sacrifice of all veterans of the 
                              Vietnam era.

Whereas the United States entered the Vietnam War to prevent the spread of 
        communism throughout Southeast Asia and specifically to prevent the fall 
        of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) to a communist government;
Whereas from 1961 to 1975, the Armed Forces of the United States and the Army of 
        the Republic of Vietnam fought against the communist forces of the 
        Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) and the National 
        Liberation Front (the ``Viet Cong'');
Whereas during the period beginning on August 5, 1964, and ending on January 27, 
        1973, an estimated 8,744,000 Americans served in the Armed Forces, of 
        whom 3,403,000 served in Southeast Asia, including 2,594,000 who served 
        in the Republic of Vietnam;
Whereas 58,209 members of the Armed Forces died in Southeast Asia during the 
        period beginning on November 1, 1955 (the commencement date of the 
        Vietnam Military Assistance Advisory Group) and ending on May 15, 1975 
        (the day the last American servicemember left Southeast Asia);
Whereas of the 725 servicemembers known to have been captured by enemy forces in 
        Southeast Asia between 1961 and 1973, 661 were returned to United States 
        military control and 64 died while prisoners of war;
Whereas 1,853 Americans who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era 
        remain unaccounted for;
Whereas the Vietnam War was a divisive issue among the people of the United 
        States;
Whereas veterans of the Vietnam War and the Vietnam era served the Nation 
        honorably;
Whereas many members of the United States Armed Forces who served during the 
        Vietnam era, despite their honorable service, were unfortunately accused 
        of committing war crimes and atrocities; and
Whereas upon returning to the United States, many veterans of the Vietnam era 
        were met with hostility from sectors of the American public and were not 
        properly thanked for their service and sacrifice: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) honors the members of the United States Armed Forces 
        who served in the Vietnam War;
            (2) expresses its appreciation for the service and 
        sacrifice of all veterans who served in the Armed Forces during 
        the Vietnam era; and
            (3) calls upon the people of the United States to recognize 
        and remember that the Nation owes a debt of gratitude to all 
        veterans of the Armed Forces who have served honorably in the 
        defense of freedom.
                                 <all>