[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 41 (Wednesday, April 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2901-S2902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Conrad):
  S. 528. A bill to require the display of the POW/MIA flag on various 
occasions and in various locations; to the Committee on the Judiciary.


              the NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I want to begin my statement today 
describing a powerful and emotional sight that moves us to the core of 
our faith and beliefs about America and about those who served in the 
Armed Forces of our Nation.
  Many of us have visited one or more of the military academies that 
train our future military leaders. These academies have varied missions 
and yet all of them share in the critical task of developing leaders 
for their particular service. On the grounds of each academy is a 
chapel, a spectacular place that at once identifies itself as a place 
of worship.
  In each chapel, a place has been reserved for the prisoners of war 
and the missing in action from their particular service. A pew has been 
set aside and marked by a candle, a powerful symbol that not all have 
returned from battle. This hallowed place has been set aside so that 
all POW's and MIA's are remembered with dignity and honor. It is a 
moving and emotional moment to pause at this reserved pew, to be 
encouraged by the burning candle, to recall the valor and sacrifice of 
those soldiers, sailors, and pilots and to be inspired today by what 
they have done.
  We can do more to honor the memory of the POW's and MIA's who have 
served in our Nation's wars.
  Therefore, today I am introducing the National POW/MIA Recognition 
Act of 1997. This act would authorize the POW/MIA flag to be displayed 
over military installations, post offices, and memorials around the 
Nation and other appropriate places of significance on Armed Forces 
Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, National 
POW/MIA Recognition Day, and on the last business day before each of 
the preceding holidays. A companion bill has been introduced in the 
House of Representatives by Congresswoman Jane Harman from California.
  Congress has officially recognized the National League of Families 
POW/MIA flag. Displaying this flag would be a powerful symbol to all 
Americans that we have not forgotten--and will not forget.
  As you know, the United States has fought in many wars, and thousands 
of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the enemy or 
listed as missing in action. In 20th century wars alone, more than 
147,000 Americans were captured and became prisoners of war; of that 
number more than 15,000 died while in captivity. When we add to the 
number those who are still missing in action, we realize that more can 
be done to honor their commitment to duty, honor, and country.
  The display of the POW/MIA flag would be a forceful reminder that we 
care not only for them, but also for their families who personally 
carry with them the burden on sacrifice. We want them to know that they 
do not stand alone, that we stand with them and beside them, as they 
remember the loyalty and devotion of those who served.
  As a veteran who served in Korea, I personally know that the 
remembrance of another's sacrifice in battle is one of the highest and 
most noble acts we can do. Let us now demonstrate our indebtedness and 
gratitude for those who served that we might live in freedom.
  Just as those special reserved pews in the chapels of the military 
academies recall the spirit and presence of our POW's and MIA's, so too 
will the display of their flag over military installations and other 
Government offices be a special reminder that we have not forgotten--
and will not forget. Before this coming Memorial Day I invite my Senate 
colleagues to please join me in passing this bill to display the POW/
MIA flag on national days of celebration.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in 
the Record.

[[Page S2902]]

  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 528

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National POW/MIA Recognition 
     Act of 1997''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) the United States has fought in many wars, and 
     thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured 
     by the enemy or listed as missing in action;
       (2) many of these Americans are still missing and 
     unaccounted for, and the uncertainty surrounding their fates 
     has caused their families to suffer tragic and continuing 
     hardships;
       (3) as a symbol of the Nation's concern and commitment to 
     accounting as fully as possible for all Americans still held 
     prisoner, missing, or unaccounted for by reason of their 
     service in the Armed Forces and to honor the Americans who in 
     future wars may be captured or listed as missing or 
     unaccounted for, Congress has officially recognized the 
     National League of Families POW/MIA flag; and
       (4) the American people observe and honor with appropriate 
     ceremony and activity the third Friday of September each year 
     as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF POW/MIA FLAG.

       In this Act, the term ``POW/MIA flag'' means the National 
     League of Families POW/MIA flag recognized and designated by 
     section 2 of Public Law 101-355 (104 Stat. 416).

     SEC. 4. DISPLAY.

       The POW/MIA flag shall be displayed on Armed Forces Day, 
     Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, 
     National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and on the last business 
     day before each of the preceding holidays, on the grounds or 
     in the public lobbies of--
       (1) major military installations as designated by the 
     Secretary of Defense;
       (2) Federal national cemeteries;
       (3) the national Korean War Veterans Memorial;
       (4) the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial;
       (5) the White House;
       (6) the official office of the--
       (A) Secretary of State;
       (B) Secretary of Defense;
       (C) Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
       (D) Director of the Selective Service System; and
       (7) United States Postal Service post offices.

     SEC. 5. REPEAL OF PROVISION RELATING TO DISPLAY OF POW/MIA 
                   FLAG.

       Section 1084 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Years 1992 and 1993 (36 U.S.C. 189 note, Public Law 
     102-190) is repealed.

     SEC. 6. REGULATIONS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the agency or department responsible for a location 
     listed in section 2 shall prescribe any regulation necessary 
     to carry out the provisions of this Act.
                                 ______