[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TO ESTABLISH A SELECT COMMITTEE ON POW AND MIA AFFAIRS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 1998

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, over 2,100 Americans are still unaccounted 
for from the war in Vietnam, over 8,100 from the Korean Conflict, and 
nearly 78,800 from World War II. It is imperative that the accounting 
of each and every one of our POWs and MIAs be given the highest 
priority by our government and by this Congress.
  Because I feel so strongly about finding new information on American 
POWs and MIAs, and as a result of the hundreds of thousands of family 
members who want to find the truth about their loved ones, I am asking 
my colleagues to cosponsor H. Res. 16--a resolution establishing a 
Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs.
  As many of you know, the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs 
released its final report several years ago. But as Members of 
Congress, we need to keep asking the tough questions and demanding hard 
answers on this issue.
  This proposed Select Committee on POW and MIA Affairs will conduct a 
full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United 
States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean 
conflict, or World War II, including MIAs and POWs.
  This temporary select committee will present it's final report by 
January 5, 1999, setting forth its findings and recommendations as a 
result of its investigation, and then terminate.
  We must continue with vigilance the work by our government to achieve 
a full accounting of every American POW/MIA. We have a moral obligation 
to give this issue our immediate and undivided attention. Please join 
me in this effort and cosponsor H. Res. 16.

                          ____________________