[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING PRISONERS OF WAR ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE 
                              VIETNAM WAR

  (Mr. GINGRICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw my colleagues' 
attention, and the country's attention, to the 25th anniversary of the 
end of the Vietnam War, and in particular to the sacrifice and the 
service to America of prisoners of war and their families.
  I think it is all too easy in peacetime to forget exactly how much 
was sacrificed. I think it is all too easy to forget that the young men 
and women we have in Bosnia, the situation developing in Iraq, the 
38,000 young Americans in Korea, all of them are risking their lives, 
separated from their families, doing what it takes so that America can 
be free and safe.
  We in this House have the great honor to serve with a man who was 
courageous in fighting for his country, a man who was courageous in 
serving as a prisoner of war, a man who came back to continue serving 
his country as a State legislator and a Member of Congress.
  We all today have a chance, not just here in the Congress to vote on 
a resolution honoring prisoners of war, but to call on every county, 
every city, and every State some time during this 25th anniversary year 
to hold an event honoring those who have been prisoners of war, 
honoring their families and their children, recognizing what they do 
for all of us, and recognizing how much our freedom depends on their 
sacrifice.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in recognizing a great 
American who we are privileged to have serve with us, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson).

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