[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE COMMITMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE RECOVERY AND 
      ACCOUNTING FOR AMERICANS WHO ARE PRISONERS OF WAR OR MISSING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DARRELL E. ISSA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 18. This bill 
recognizes the historic commitment of the United States to the recovery 
of and full accounting for Americans who are prisoners of war or in a 
missing status.
  I would like to personally thank Mr. Franks and Mr. Hunter for 
bringing this important Resolution to the floor and I am pleased that 
the House is taking time out to remember the bravery of the soldiers 
who participated in the rescue of American and Filipino military 
prisoners of war.
  As Chairman of the Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am pleased that 
this resolution not only honors the commitment of United States Army 
units but also recognizes the courage of the Filipino guerrillas.
  On April 9, 1942, over 75,000 American and Filipino soldiers became 
prisoners of war during the surrender on the Bataan Peninsula. The 
soldiers were forced to march without food or water on the infamous 65-
mile trek, known as the Bataan Death March. It is believed that 17,000 
captives did not survive the march or the ensuing years as prisoners of 
war. Many historians call the Bataan Death March the worst military 
atrocity ever suffered by American soldiers in the history of the 
United States.
  General MacArthur committed forces under his command to make every 
effort to liberate prisoner of war camps and internment camps. United 
States Army units and Filipino guerrilla forces successfully conducted 
rescue missions that liberated innocent civilians, prisoners of war and 
Filipino citizens. General MacArthur's efforts are an example of the 
United States' commitment to the recovery and full accounting of our 
prisoners of war.
  I join my colleagues in recognizing this historic commitment and I 
urge my colleagues to support this Resolution.

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