[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E867-E868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN 
                             SOUTHEAST ASIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, after 26 years of working closely with the 
National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in 
Southeast Asia, it should come as no surprise that I rise today to 
express my full support for their forthcoming trip to Vietnam, Laos, 
and Cambodia scheduled from May 12-20, 1999.
  For more than a quarter of a century, I have witnessed, firsthand, 
the league's tireless efforts and faithful dedication to those who have 
selflessly served our country during the war in Southeast Asia. For 30 
years, the National League of Families has remained vigilant in its 
goal of determining the fate of those members of the United States 
Armed Forces still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. 
Like so many Americans across our land, I have come to deeply respect 
and appreciate all that the League has done for those who have done so 
much for our Nation.
  I have been a strong advocate of obtaining the fullest possible 
accounting of our POW/MIA's since I first came to the Congress in 1973. 
As a junior Congressman, my first trip overseas was to Laos to visit 
the Hmong people who protected our downed airmen during the war. I 
proudly supported the creation of the Select Committee on Missing 
Persons in Southeast Asia, the National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and 
POW/MIA legislation because I believe the families of those who are 
missing deserve no less.
  In my trips to Vietnam over the years, I have shared the League's 
frustrations with the accounting process. I am aware of the steps the 
Vietnamese government has recently taken to address the concerns of our 
POW/MIA families, but I believe further steps--steps the League has 
long recommended--should be pursued. Regrettably, by normalizing 
relations with Vietnam, I believe that we have withdrawn our leverage 
with the Vietnamese Government on this issue. Once again, I

[[Page E868]]

strongly urge the Governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to engage 
in serious dialogue to improve the transparency, accountability, 
effectiveness and efficiency of POW/MIA investigations.
  I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have worked with the 
League on this important issue. It is a pleasure to bring recognition 
to one of our family groups which has toiled so long and so hard in 
support of our servicemen and women. I wish Ann Mills Griffith, Dick 
Childress and their team a safe and productive visit to Southeast Asia 
and I look forward to their report upon their return.

                          ____________________