[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S688]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RETURN OF AMERICAN POWS FROM VIETNAM

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
Congressman. The House of Representatives is paying tribute today to 
our Vietnam prisoners of war. It was 25 years ago this month that those 
brave men began returning home to America.
  Among those heroes was Sam Johnson. Sam was a prisoner 6 years 10 
months 18 days and 23 hours, which he can tell you to this day.
  All of us who know Sam know he is a fighter. He was called 
``diehard'' by his North Vietnamese captors.
  Sam was one of 11 prisoners whose total defiance to prison authority 
resulted in banishment to a high security prison that was dubbed 
``Alcatraz.'' The prisoners were placed in tiny cubicles in an earthen-
walled facility that was dug out of the center courtyard of the North 
Vietnam Ministry of Defense in downtown Hanoi. Sam and the other 10 
wore leg irons and suffered from severe malnutrition.
  Sam's defiance continued to the end, until February 13, 1973, when 
Sam boarded a plane at Gia Lam Airport to return home.
  Our Nation recognized Sam Johnson's contributions by making him one 
of the most highly decorated aviators of his era. During Sam's military 
career, he was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the 
Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple 
Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit awards.
  Mr. President, I would like to note also that here in the Senate 
there are many heroes from among us from World War II, the Korean war 
and the war in Vietnam.
  Today, 25 years after the POWs in Vietnam began to come home, it is 
also appropriate to recall the sacrifice made by our own colleague, my 
good friend, John McCain. John returned from Vietnam after his own 
capture and imprisonment 25 years ago next month.
  Patriots like Senator John McCain and Congressman Sam Johnson remind 
us of what makes America great--honor, courage, and duty. They enrich 
the Congress and remind us every day of the important responsibility we 
have as stewards of the young men and women in our armed forces. As we 
prepare for a possible conflict in Iraq, I have no higher priority than 
that those troops will get everything they need to do the job if they 
are sent.
  As Americans we have many things for which to be thankful. But 
perhaps we should be most thankful for the brave Americans throughout 
our history who have fought the wars to keep America free. It is their 
sacrifice that has preserved democracy. It is their sense of patriotism 
and duty that Americans must always embrace if we are to remain free. 
Commemorating this 25th anniversary is one way that we will make sure 
that Americans do not forget the sacrifices that have been made for us 
to be able to stand here in this Senate Chamber and speak on an 
unfettered basis and openly and freely.
  I want to say that I am proud that Sam Johnson is my Congressman. I 
also want to pay tribute to his wife, Shirley. Shirley and Sam are 
friends of Ray's and mine, and have been for years.
  But Shirley is a hero, too. Sometimes we do not talk about those who 
were left home for 6 years to raise the children, to give them the hope 
and strength and love that both parents would normally give. It is to 
the Shirley Johnsons, also, that we owe a great debt of gratitude, 
because she was there never giving up, making sure that America never 
forgot that some were missing and some were imprisoned. She, too, 
should be commended today on this 25th anniversary.
  I am honored to serve with Sam Johnson and Senator John McCain. As we 
honor them, we make sure that those who came home know how much we 
appreciate them. And, most of all, we remember those who did not come 
home.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.
  Under the previous order, the Senator from Alaska is recognized to 
speak for up to 20 minutes.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair and wish the President a good 
morning.
  (The remarks of Mr. Murkowski pertaining to the submission of S. Con. 
Res. 76 are located in today's Record under ``Submission of Concurrent 
and Senate Resolutions.)
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Smith of Oregon). The Senator from Texas.
  Mr. GRAMM. I believe I reserved a block of time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 30 minutes.
  Mr. GRAMM. Let me say to my dear colleague I will not take all of 
that time.

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