[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 96 (Wednesday, July 11, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              RECOGNITION OF THE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL FERGUSON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2001

  Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, in recent years there has been an 
increased movement to recognize veterans of World War II. Despite 
improved awareness, there are many veterans whose heroic efforts to 
preserve this great country are still overlooked. Accordingly, we must 
continue to take greater strides to demonstrate the appreciation and 
gratitude these loyal Americans deserve for the sacrifices they made.
  During World War II, tens of thousands of U.S. POWs were captured and 
either killed under unspeakable conditions or forced into slave labor 
for Japanese companies. After the United States surrendered its forces 
on the Bataan Peninsula, Philippines in early 1942, the infamous 60-
mile Bataan Death March claimed the lives of hundreds of Americans. In 
fact, more than 14,000 American POWs perished from disease, starvation, 
injury, brutality or execution at an appalling 40 percent death rate 
that proved it was more deadly to be a prisoner of the Japanese than to 
fight in battle. The prisoners who survived the Bataan Death March were 
joined by other American prisoners who were taken at Corregidor and 
throughout the Pacific--Guam, Wake Island, and survivors of the sinking 
of the U.S.S. Houston.
  Any words used to describe the conditions these American prisoners 
faced cannot do justice to the pain and suffering that they 
experienced. Upon arrival in Japan and Japanese-occupied territories 
such as Manchuria, they were sent to work as slaves for some of Japan's 
richest companies like Mitsubishi and Nippon Steel--companies that 
remain wealthy and powerful today.
  The U.S. played an instrumental role in the discussions between 
German companies and their victims during the Holocaust litigation, and 
it is now time that our government extend the same gesture of gratitude 
and support for the POW veterans of World War II. As such, I am proud 
to voice my strong support for H.R. 1198, the ``Justice for United 
States Prisoners of War Act of 2001'', introduced by Representatives 
Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Michael Honda (D-CA).
  I applaud Representatives Rohrabacher and Honda for their leadership 
in bringing these Japanese companies to justice on behalf of the well-
deserving veterans who suffered and lost their lives. The bipartisan 
legislation will rightfully allow American POW's to sue Japanese 
companies in U.S. state or federal court for losses and injuries 
sustained during the time they were imprisoned and forced into slave 
labor. Moreover, the bill also provides that if Japan enters into peace 
settlement terms with another country more beneficial to that country 
than to the United States, those additional benefits will also be 
extended to the United States.
  I believe our POWs, who have given years of their lives to serve the 
cruel interests of our wartime enemies should at least be allowed the 
opportunity to have their grievances redressed in an international 
court of law. As a nation, which has thrived because of the sacrifices 
of these brave men, we must do everything in our power to recognize and 
repay their courageous efforts.
  We owe it to these POW's--both the survivors and those killed in 
action--who made immeasurable sacrifices for the brighter future of 
this great nation. We owe it to their families, who also made 
sacrifices by losing precious days, weeks and months with loved ones 
who were off serving, preserving the peace and freedom we have in this 
country today.

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