[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 68--DESIGNATING ``NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR 
                           RECOGNITION DAY''

  Mr. SPECTER (for himself, Mr. Akaka, and Mr. Smith of New Hampshire) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 68

       Whereas the United States has fought in many wars;
       Whereas thousands of members of the Armed Forces of the 
     United States who served in such wars were captured by the 
     enemy and held as prisoners of war;
       Whereas many prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and 
     inhumane treatment by their captors in violation of 
     international codes and customs for the treatment of 
     prisoners of war and died, or were disabled, as a result of 
     the treatment; and
       Whereas the great sacrifices of the prisoners of war and 
     their families deserve national recognition: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates April 9, 1997, and April 9, 1998, as 
     ``National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day'' in honor 
     of the members of the Armed Forces of the United States who 
     have been held as prisoners of war; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling on the people of the United States to commemorate 
     this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I am pleased to submit a resolution which 
would recognize the service and dedication of America's former 
prisoners of war [POW's]. The resolution would designate April 9, 1997, 
and April 9, 1998, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. 
April 9 is the anniversary of the fall of Bataan in 1942. On that day 
more Americans became POW's than any other day in our history.
  Every American who wears the uniform of our country makes a unique 
commitment of service and duty to our country and to our fellow 
citizens. Perhaps no American veterans have been called upon to honor 
their commitment to our country under circumstances more difficult than 
those endured by our former POW's. For many, their experience was one 
of malnutrition, torture, and nonexistent medical care, combined with 
the burden of watching comrades die under terrible conditions.
  Even under the best possible conditions, the POW experience places 
American service members in the position of being dependent upon our 
Nation's enemies for every scrap of food, every bandage, every human 
need. In such circumstances, the reward for treason, or even 
cooperation, is high. The penalty for resistance and loyalty is 
immediate, frequently painful and sometimes fatal. This resolution 
recognizes the sacrifice and loyalty of the POW's who maintained their 
commitment of service to our country. In so doing, it helps fulfill the 
duty we have to former POW's, derived from their faithful discharge of 
duty to our nation.
  Mr. President, this resolution commemorates the service of former 
POW's who sustained their commitment to our country under circumstances 
that few of us can imagine, and none would willingly endure. I ask this 
body to honor the memory of those who have already died and express our 
gratitude to those still alive.

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