[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 139 (Wednesday, December 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12057-S12058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING OUR POW/MIAs

 Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, as a veteran who served in Korea, 
I have, throughout my congressional career, vigorously sought to ensure 
that our men and women in uniform who were listed as POW/MIA are not 
forgotten. I have also worked hard to promote a better understanding 
and appreciation of these brave men and women's extraordinary service 
and sacrifice by the American public.
  Underscoring this commitment, I was proud to have authored a number 
of

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important laws, including the POW/MIA Memorial flag Act of 2001, P.L. 
107-323; the Bring Them Home Alive Act of 2000, P.L. 106-484; the 
Persian Gulf War Accountability Act of 2002, P.L. 107-258; and the 
Vietnam Veterans Recognition Act of 1999, P.L. 106-214. I want to take 
this opportunity to also commend my deputy chief of staff and 
legislative director, Larry Vigil, for all of his good work in getting 
these important initiatives passed on behalf of all Americans.
  As my colleagues know, the United States has fought in many wars and 
thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the 
enemy or listed as missing in action. In the 20th century wars alone, 
more than 147,000 Americans were captured and became prisoners of war. 
Of that number, more than 15,000 died while in captivity. When we add 
to this number, those who are still missing in action, we realize that 
we cannot do enough to not only remember their service, but to bring 
them back home alive.
  Our mission is far from over. Today we continue to look for Capt. 
Michael Speicher from the 1991 Persian gulf war and PFC Keith ``Matt'' 
Maupin who went missing in action in Iraq on April 9, 2004. To that 
end, we must remain fully committed to leave no one behind and push for 
a full accounting for those who are still missing. We must spare no 
effort to bring them home.
  The power of our democracy and the strength of our society comes from 
acknowledging our interdependence on each other. In our best moments we 
know full well that the commitment of so many in the military service 
has made our Nation and our lives fuller and more complete.
  I commend Danny ``Greasy'' Belcher with Task Force Omega of Kentucky 
for his tireless efforts in bringing awareness to the POW/MIA issue and 
organizing national support for many of these successful legislative 
initiatives. I also thank Artie Muller, president of Rolling Thunder 
National, for his continued years of work on the POW/MIA issue and the 
National League of POW/MIA Families, the National Vietnam and Gulf War 
Veterans Coalition, VietNow and Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc., and 
others.
  As I conclude my tenure in the United States Senate, I challenge my 
colleagues and those who will follow in my footsteps to continue this 
valuable and necessary work to support the friends and families of 
those who are POW/MIA.

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