[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1633-E1634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ``REMEMBERING AMERICA'S POW/MIAS''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not bring to 
your attention an inspirational essay by one of America's leading 
advocates for veterans, my very distinguished

[[Page E1634]]

colleague, Bob Stump of Arizona. Chairman Stump has led the fight in 
the POW/MIA movement for years. His moving words on this most important 
subject need to be heard.
  For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record, 
Congressman Stump's memorable tribute to those who have made the 
ultimate sacrifice for their Nation--and especially for those not 
fortunate enough to make it home.
  On this Friday, September 20, 1996, I would urge all Americans to 
take the time to reflect upon Mr. Stump's tribute to our Prisoners of 
War and Missing in Action. Thanks to the words and effort of people 
like Chairman Stump, the tremendous sacrifices of these courageous 
Americans will not be forgotten. His words truly deserve the attention 
of every American who enjoys the freedom preserved by these courageous 
American heroes.

                    Remembering America's POW/MIA's

                       (By Congressman Bob Stump)

       As we commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day, it is 
     altogether fitting that we pay homage to those Americans who 
     were taken prisoner of war or listed as missing in action and 
     presumed dead.
       Throughout the history of the United States, in six major 
     wars spanning 220 years, more than 500,000 Americans have 
     been taken prisoner of war. Each has experienced horrors 
     unimaginable and indefinable in the annals of civilized 
     existence. Most endured long-term deprivation of freedom and 
     the loss of human dignity.
       How can we possibly acknowledge their sacrifice or their 
     memory in the context of what they experienced or how they 
     survived?
       National POW/MIA Recognition Day allows Americans to 
     comprehend and appreciate the dedication to life and freedom 
     that these brave men and women endured in the service of 
     their country. A just nation and its people must acknowledge 
     their survival in captivity by continuing to assure them and 
     their families that what they sacrificed and endured in the 
     face of adversity was not offered in vain.
       In the Revolutionary War, more than 20,000 Americans were 
     taken prisoner and 8,500 died in captivity, mostly from 
     disease.
       During the Civil War, and estimated 194,000 Union soliders 
     and 214,000 Confederates became prisoners of war. Between the 
     North and the South, 56,194 Americans died in captivity, 
     mostly from disease.
       In world War I, 4,120 Americans were taken prisoner--147 of 
     them died in captivity forcing a third Geneva Convention 
     covering the humane treatment for prisoners-of-war.
       No one could ever perceive nor comprehend the absolute 
     barbaric treatment American prisoners experienced in World 
     War II, especially at the hands of the Japanese. In the 
     Pacific, 11,107 Americans, or 40 % of those taken prisoner, 
     died in captivity. In contrast, of the 93,941 Americans taken 
     prisoner in Europe, all but 1,121 or 1 percent were released.
       Once again, outrage prompted the world community to pass 
     four new Geneva Conventions, In August 1949, the new treaty 
     strengthened the former ones by codifying the general 
     principles of international law governing the treatment of 
     civilians in wartime. Included in that treaty was a pledge, 
     ``to treat prisoners humanely, feed them adequately, and 
     deliver relief supplies to them'' Additionally, prisoners of 
     war would not be forced to disclose more than minimal 
     information to their captors.
       These new provisions were soon tested during the Korean War 
     where 8,177 Americans were classified as missing-in-action, 
     and another 7,140 were identified as prisoners of war. 
     Between April and September 1953, a total of 4,418 POWs were 
     released by the Communist Chinese, leaving 2,722 Americans 
     unaccounted for. Five months later, in February 1954, the 
     United States declared the remaining 8,177 Americans missing 
     and presumed dead.
       Perhaps more than any war, Vietnam continues to illustrate 
     the complexity of the POW/MIA issue. In 1973, the Pentagon 
     listed almost 3,100 Americans as POW/MIA's. In April 1973, 
     591 Americans were released by the North Vietnamese. As of 
     this date, The National League of Families of American 
     Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia report that ``2,146 
     Americans are still missing and unaccounted for from the 
     Vietnam War.''
       For more than 20 years, the families of those men 
     classified as missing-in-action have suffered the anguish of 
     not knowing whether their sons, their fathers or their 
     husbands are alive or dead. National POW/MIA Recognition Day 
     allows us to keep their memories alive.
       It is for that reason that we reflect upon the sacrifices 
     made by Americans who were captured and returned home as well 
     as to those still listed as missing-in-action.
       Americans should never forget that their love of this 
     country and all that it stands for, their dedication to 
     service, their ideals, their courage, their convictions and 
     their sacrifices must never be forgotten.
       The most fitting words imaginable are those of President 
     Abraham Lincoln to the mother of five sons lost on the field 
     of battle: ``I cannot refrain from tendering to you the tanks 
     of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly 
     father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave 
     you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the 
     solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a 
     sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

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