[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 109 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 109

Honoring Army Specialist Shoshana Nyree Johnson, former prisoner of war 
                                in Iraq.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 17, 2005

  Mr. Rangel submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Honoring Army Specialist Shoshana Nyree Johnson, former prisoner of war 
                                in Iraq.

Whereas Specialist Shoshana Nyree Johnson, United States Army, of El Paso, 
        Texas, was born on January 18, 1973, the daughter of retired Army 
        Sergeant First Class Claude Johnson and Eunice Johnson;
Whereas upon receiving orders on February 2003, Specialist Johnson was deployed 
        to the Persian Gulf region as part of the Army's 507th Maintenance 
        Company;
Whereas on March 23, 2003, Specialist Johnson's unit was ambushed by Iraqi 
        troops in Nasiriyah, Iraq, and Specialist Johnson and five other members 
        of that unit were captured and became prisoners of war;
Whereas Specialist Johnson suffered gunshot wounds in both ankles and rough 
        treatment by her captors;
Whereas Specialist Johnson's interrogation by her captors was seen by television 
        viewers around the world in a videotape released by her Iraqi captors;
Whereas Specialist Johnson's plight resonated in the hearts of all Americans;
Whereas Specialist Johnson, as well as four others from her unit and two 
        helicopter pilots, were rescued by United States Marines on April 13, 
        2003;
Whereas upon that rescue, all eight United States military personnel who were 
        captured and held as prisoners of war during Operation Iraqi Freedom 
        were free, Private First Class Jessica Lynch, United States Army, having 
        been rescued on April 2, 2003, in a United States special forces 
        operation;
Whereas Specialist Johnson was the first African-American woman held as a 
        prisoner of war;
Whereas Specialist Johnson displayed extraordinary courage and valor during her 
        captivity and has displayed great dignity since her release;
Whereas Specialist Johnson's experience represents the highest ideals of 
        patriotism and sacrifice by all Americans who served, who were held as 
        prisoners of war, or were wounded or killed in the Iraq War;
Whereas Specialist Johnson, the mother of a two-year-old daughter, personifies 
        the unique sacrifice of growing numbers of American women who volunteer 
        to serve in the United States Armed Forces; and
Whereas Specialist Johnson epitomizes the contributions of African Americans and 
        other minorities who served their country, throughout its history, in 
        many wars and conflicts, with great valor and distinction: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress honors Specialist Shoshana Johnson, United States 
Army, a former prisoner of war in Operation Iraqi Freedom, for her 
heroism and sacrifice and for representing the highest ideals of 
service in the United States Armed Forces.
                                 <all>