[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      21ST ANNUAL POW/MIA CEREMONY AT THE MERCER COUNTY COURTHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MELISSA A. HART

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 9, 2005

  Ms. HART. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
commemorate the sacrifices made by Mercer County's prisoners of war and 
those who are still missing in action, as well as the families who 
mourn them.
  Tonight, January 27th, 2005 will commemorate the 21st annual POW/MIA 
ceremony at the Mercer County Courthouse. This date was chosen to 
commemorate the signing of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27, 1973, 
which effectively marked the end of the Vietnam Conflict and commenced 
the withdrawal of American troops.
  Since World War I there have been over 125,000 soldiers Missing in 
Action, including 2,005 soldiers who served in Southeast Asia during 
the Vietnam Conflict. Our Nation will continue its commitment and 
concern to remembering and resolving as fully possible the fate of 
Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for during military 
operations in Southeast Asia. I believe ceremonies such as the POW/MIA 
vigil in Mercer County, Pennsylvania is one way of ensuring that 
America never forgets our heroes.
  I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in 
recognizing the 2005 Mercer County POW/MIA vigil and honoring the 
sacrifices of all of America's Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.

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