[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H7289-H7291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING AMERICAN AIRMEN HELD POLITICAL PRISONERS AT BUCHENWALD
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 95) recognizing and commending
American airmen held as political prisoners at the Buchenwald
concentration camp during World War II for their service, bravery, and
fortitude.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 95
Whereas 168 Allied airmen captured by Axis forces during
World War II were held as political prisoners at the
Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar, Germany;
Whereas of these captured airmen, 82 were Americans, 26
were Canadians, 48 were Britons, 9 were Australians, 2 were
New Zealanders, and 1 was Jamaican;
Whereas the facts and circumstances of their confinement
are amply documented in the official records maintained by
the National Archives and Records Administration;
Whereas a report from the International Red Cross
concerning Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Germany, mentioned six
American airmen held at Buchenwald, including one whose name
does not appear on the lists maintained by the National
Archives;
Whereas since the liberation of Buchenwald in 1945 numerous
personal memoirs, scholarly books, and articles have been
published describing the conditions at the concentration
camp;
Whereas this extensive documentation records the
extraordinarily inhuman treatment, deprivations, and personal
suffering inflicted on these 168 Allied airmen and other
inmates at Buchenwald; and
Whereas Allied Governments and veterans organizations
outside the United States have granted special recognition to
their citizens and servicemembers who were here as political
prisoners in World War II concentration camps: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes and commends the 82 American airmen held as
political prisoners at the Buchenwald concentration camp
during World War II for their faithful service, personal
bravery, and exceptional fortitude; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
recognizing and commending, by name, the service, bravery,
and fortitude of those airman.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Florida [Mr. Mica] and the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings] each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Mica].
{time} 1230
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, today the House has an opportunity to recognize the
valor and sacrifices of 82 Americans who have earned the gratitude of
our Nation. We often speak in this House of the debt that our Nation
owes to the many men and women who have served our Armed Forces in
defense of this country and its values.
The story of these 82 American airmen forcefully reminds us of the
price that others have had to pay to preserve our freedom. These men
were held as political prisoners at the notorious Buchenwald
concentration camp.
Unlike other American prisoners of war, they were not entitled to the
protections of the Geneva Convention. The unspeakable horrors of
Buchenwald are well-known, but the ordeal of these men and what they
experienced is not known.
For 52 years, this Government has not formally recognized the bravery
and loyalty of these 82 airmen. This resolution, which is sponsored by
my distinguished colleague and good friend, the gentleman from Florida
[Mr. Weldon] and also has the support of the gentleman from Florida
[Mr. Deutsch], my equally good friend and colleague, will provide
public recognition that these men have earned, and it is so long
overdue.
But the resolution will do more than that, Mr. Speaker. It will also
educate Members of Congress and preserve for the American people the
story, the history, and the bravery of these 82 heroic individuals.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, on June 10, 1997, Representatives Weldon and Deutsch
introduced bipartisan legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 95, to
officially honor the only U.S. servicemen to be held prisoner in a
concentration camp.
I am delighted that the chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Service
[Mr. Mica] and I have been able to quickly bring this bill to the floor
for
[[Page H7290]]
the consideration of Members. I strongly support House Concurrent
Resolution 95 and urge its immediate passage so that this body might go
on record as commending 82 brave United States airmen who were held at
the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar, Germany, during World War
II.
These men shared a unique and painful experience that no other
American servicemen have endured. A total of 168 allied airmen were
captured and held at Buchenwald, and allied governments in other parts
of the world have already bestowed special recognition upon these
servicemen.
The deplorable conditions, inhumane treatment, and personal suffering
of the 82 American servicemen must not go unrecognized by our Nation
any longer.
Though more than 50 years have passed since the liberation of the
Buchenwald concentration camp, the appreciation due these men for their
bravery, service, and unique sacrifice, is as considerable today as it
was in 1945 when the camp was liberated.
It is perhaps even more momentous because it is so long overdue.
Tragically, some of these men can no longer be located and informed of
this legislation. Thirty-three of them are now deceased. It is my hope
that the news of our action here today, our official recognition of
their service, reaches all who survive, those who have passed on, and
all of their families, so that they might know what has finally
transpired here this day.
Mr. Speaker, I respectfully urge this entire body to join me in
support of this important resolution so that all 82 Americans held at
Buchenwald concentration camp may receive the honor they have for so
long deserved.
Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the
distinguished gentleman from Florida [Mr. Weldon], the sponsor of this
important legislation. I want to thank the gentleman for bringing the
sacrifices of these airmen to the attention of the Congress and to the
American people.
Mr. WELDON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague the gentleman from Florida
[Mr. Mica] and the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Cummings], my good
friend, for bringing my bill to the floor today.
I also want to thank the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], the
chairman of the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for
allowing the bill to be considered in such a timely fashion. I also, in
addition, want to thank my very good friend, the gentleman from Florida
[Mr. Deutsch] for working with me on this important bipartisan effort.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 95 is a simple bill. It does
not spend any money, it does not change any regulations, it does not
affect any Federal agencies. But this is an important bill, Mr.
Speaker, because it recognizes a unique group of soldiers who fought
for this country during World War II. Beside me on my left we can see,
of those who are remaining and still alive, a picture of them gathered
at a meeting.
Now, lots of men and women sacrificed on behalf of our country in
World War II. What makes this group so special?
They were not the only members of the United States military to
serve, but they were the only ones to be held in a Nazi concentration
camp. Those horrible camps will forever occupy a dark place in human
history, and we have long recognized the bravery and daring of many
prisoners who fought their Nazi oppressors and struggled to win
political and religious freedom.
But, tragically, we have never formally recognized these men for
their service, sacrifice, and suffering. My attention was first drawn
to their situation when they held a reunion in Melbourne, FL, which is
in my district. After talking with Bill Williams, the leader of this
group, who lives in Lake Placid, FL, I learned that both Sonny
Montgomery and Tim Hutchinson had championed this bill when they served
in the House, and I was determined to complete their work.
When these 82 airmen were shot down, they were captured in civilian
clothing and were sent to Buchenwald concentration camp as spies and as
criminals. But when our soldiers were sent to a concentration camp
instead of a POW camp, they were considered political prisoners, and
therefore not subject to the fundamental protections of the Geneva
Convention.
My bill simply recognizes their unique service and asks the President
to do the same by issuing a proclamation commending them. Other allied
airmen were also held at Buchenwald, and their countries have
recognized their service. So it seems fitting that we do so as well.
Senators Tim Hutchinson and Joseph Lieberman have introduced similar
legislation in the other body, and I hope this year that both Chambers
can pass these bills and give these men the recognition that has been
half a century waiting in coming.
The saga of the airmen is recounted by Mitchell Bard in ``Forgotten
Victims--The Abandonment of Americans in Hitler's Camps.'' His book
details the horror these men suffered, the violent beatings, the days
in solitary confinement, the malnutrition, the freezing temperatures,
the sleep deprivation, the medical experimentation. We must never
forget their sacrifices for freedom around the world.
Mr. Speaker, today's consideration of this bill is also very timely.
Just a few weeks ago, the Department of Justice concluded years of
negotiations with Germany regarding reparations for these soldiers and
other American civilians held in Nazi concentration and labor camps. I
am pleased to report that the negotiations were highly successful and
all of the United States soldiers held in Buchenwald are going to be
compensated by Germany for their cruel and inhumane imprisonment. I
commend the Justice Department for successfully closing out the
settlement.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit for the Record a note
from former President George Bush. President Bush wrote a warm note of
greeting to these men when they met in Melbourne last year, and I want
to include it as part of the Record for today's floor action.
March 10, 1997.
I am delighted to send warm greetings to all gathered in
Melbourne for this special reunion of American World War II
veterans.
Present at this remarkable gathering this week are men who
represented the best of the American spirit during a time of
tremendous peril. Like so many others, you answered the call
to duty and turned back a threatening tide of tyranny looming
over Europe--and those who live there today in freedom are
indebted to you for your sacrifices and selfless service. So
as you fellow old-timers come together to renew friendships
and recall lost comrades, I am honored to join in saluting
you, doing so with the hope that you know your Nation
respects you and is grateful to each of you.
George Bush.
House concurrent resolution 95 is endorsed by the American Ex-
prisoners of War and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support this important
bill. By passing this bill today, those veterans still living and the
families and friends of those who have passed on can fully realize the
public recognition these brave men so rightly deserve.
Mr. Speaker, I thank again my colleagues from Maryland and Florida.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank the
distinguished gentleman from Florida [Mr. Weldon], the primary sponsor
of this legislation, and also the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Deutsch]
for their timeliness in bringing this legislation before the House. I
congratulate them for their fine efforts to provide these brave men
with a public expression of gratitude and recognition from this
Congress, which they so richly deserve.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment and also thank the
gentleman who is not with us, but who served with such a distinguished
career in the House, Mr. Sonny Montgomery, who was referred to by my
colleague from Florida. He did attempt to bring this matter before the
House, and he does deserve credit and recognition on this day as we do
pass this legislation long overdue.
I also want to take a moment to thank the gentleman from Maryland
[Mr. Cummings], the distinguished ranking member of the Subcommittee on
Civil Service, for his assistance on
[[Page H7291]]
this matter. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the
gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Burton], the chairman of the Committee on
House Government Reform and Oversight, and the gentleman from
California [Mr. Waxman], the ranking member, for their leadership and
helping to expedite consideration of this matter before the House.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution asks the President to issue a
proclamation recognizing and commending each of these 82 men by name
for their service, their bravery, and their fortitude. In good
conscience we can do no less.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote for this long overdue
resolution.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution
offered by the gentleman from Florida. The history of mankind has shown
us much about human nature. In World War Two, we faced an evil so
unprecedented in its inhumanity we refer to those actions today as
``atrocities'' and as ``crimes against mankind.'' The Nazi regime
inflicted many injuries against the world, some of which were still
struggling to heal. Let us take a step in a forward manner today and
give our support in honoring a special group of American defenders who
were witness to this terrible regime.
The 82 American airmen captured and interred at the Buchenwald
concentration camp must be commended. In the service of their nation,
they were forced to suffer at the hands of a vile enemy.
The suffering and sacrifice of these Americans cannot be forgotten.
It was because of them and the Allied forces that we are in a position
today to take preventive measures against such an occurrence ever
happening again.
As much as some people wish to deny history, this event was real. A
Holocaust took place. These 82 soldiers not only became prisoners, they
became witnesses and messengers who could share with us firsthand this
terrible event so that we might understand and learn from the tragic
mistakes of the past.
To let this moment pass us by without action by this body would cast
a pall on the memory of these valiant, selfless men. We have learned of
the terrible circumstances at the concentration camps. We have
previously honored innocent civilian victims of these camps. Some of
those people were our friends and family members, and many were people
we did not know. Now we have the opportunity to bestow proper honor and
recognition of those service men who were fighting on our behalf. And
who ended up in the Buchenwald concentration camp. I urge all of my
colleagues to join together and support his admirable resolution.
Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Mica] that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent
Resolution 95.
The question was taken.
Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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