[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1651-E1652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENT ON POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               SPEECH OF

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 2002

  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to bring my colleagues' 
attention to POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is tomorrow. Designated by 
the President and observed every year on the Third Friday of September, 
we take this day to remember the sacrifices of armed service-members 
who were captured in wartime, and whose ultimate fate remains unknown. 
Over the course of the last century more than 142,000 Americans were 
taken captive when fighting for their country. Those unfortunate enough 
to be taken prisoner all too often suffered from the very worst human 
treatment. Let us remember the sacrifice they made for their country.
  I would encourage my colleagues not only to remember those who were 
captured, but

[[Page E1652]]

also those who have never returned. I commend the Department of 
Defense's use of DNA sampling of living relatives to identify unknown 
remains. I have linked their website from mine and encourage other 
members to do the same to publicize this important step. We must also 
continue to encourage Korea, Vietnam and other countries to fully 
cooperate with our efforts to bring resolution to these cases.
  Mr. Speaker, our missing heroes deserve much more than just a passive 
pledge not to forget, they deserve our active support. Let us all 
remember that fact on MIA/POW Recognition Day.

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