[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S776-S777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SENATE RESOLUTION 177--RELATIVE TO PRISONERS OF WAR

  Mr. COVERDELL (for himself, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Smith of New Hampshire, 
Mr. Lott, Mr. Hagel, and Ms. Moseley-Braun) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered:

                              S. Res. 177

       Whereas participation by the United States Armed Forces in 
     combat operations in Southeast Asia during the period from 
     1964 through 1972 resulted in several hundreds of members of 
     the United States Armed Forces being taken prisoner by North 
     Vietnamese, Pathet Lao, and Viet Cong enemy forces;
       Whereas the first such United States serviceman taken as a 
     prisoner of war, Navy Lt. Commander Everett Alvarez, was 
     captured on August 5, 1964;
       Whereas following the Paris Peace Accords of January 1973, 
     591 United States prisoners of war were released from 
     captivity by North Vietnam;

[[Page S777]]

       Whereas the return of these prisoners of war to United 
     States control and to their families and comrades was 
     designated Operation Homecoming;
       Whereas many members of the United States Armed Forces who 
     were taken prisoner as a result of ground or aerial combat in 
     Southeast Asia have not returned to their loved ones and 
     their whereabouts remain unknown;
       Whereas United States prisoners of war in Southeast Asia 
     were routinely subjected to brutal mistreatment, including 
     beatings, torture, starvation, and denial of medical 
     attention;
       Whereas United States prisoners of war in Southeast Asia 
     were held in a number of facilities, the most notorious of 
     which was Hoa Loa Prison in downtown Hanoi, dubbed the 
     ``Hanoi Hilton'' by the prisoners held there;
       Whereas the hundreds of United States prisoners or war held 
     in the Hanoi Hilton and other facilities persevered under 
     terrible conditions;
       Whereas the prisoners were frequently isolated from each 
     other and prohibited from speaking to each other;
       Whereas the prisoners nevertheless, at great personal risk, 
     devised a means to communicate with each other through a code 
     transmitted by tapping on cell walls;
       Whereas then-Commander James B. Stockdale, United States 
     Navy, who upon his capture on September 9, 1965, became the 
     senior POW officer present in the Hanoi Hilton, delivered to 
     his men a message that was to sustain them during their 
     ordeal, as follows: Remember, you are Americans. With faith 
     in God, trust in one another, and devotion to your country, 
     you will overcome. You will triumph.;
       Whereas the men held as prisoners of war during the Vietnam 
     conflict truly represent all that is best about America;
       Whereas two of these patriots, Congressman Sam Johnson, of 
     Texas, and Senator John McCain, of Arizona, have continued to 
     honor the Nation with devoted service; and
       Whereas the Nation owes a debt of gratitude to all of these 
     patriots for their courage and exemplary service: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) expresses its gratitude for, and calls upon all 
     Americans to reflect upon and show their gratitude for, the 
     courage and sacrifice of the brave men who were held as 
     prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict, particularly on 
     the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Operation Homecoming, 
     their return from captivity; and
       (2) acting on behalf of all Americans--
       (A) will not forget that more than 2,000 members of the 
     United States Armed Forces remain unaccounted for from the 
     Vietnam conflict; and
       (B) will continue to press for the fullest possible 
     accounting for such members.

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