[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 64 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E983-E984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONOR OUR WOUNDED AND FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2005

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise today to urge support 
of my legislation that recognizes and honors the service and sacrifice 
of members of the United States Armed Forces.
  The first bill is H.R. 2369, ``Honor our Fallen Prisoners of War 
Act''. Currently, prisoners of war who die during their imprisonment of 
wounds inflicted in war are eligible for posthumous Purple Heart 
recognition. However, those who die of starvation, beatings, freezing 
or other causes are not eligible for the Purple Heart!
  This is not right! There should be no false distinction indicating 
more courage or more sacrifice by some who died and less by others. All 
POWs who died in service to our Nation should be eligible for Purple 
Heart recognition. H.R. 2369 will allow all members of our Armed Forces 
who die while a Prisoner of War, regardless of the cause of death, to 
be awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. This will apply to all wars, 
past and present.
  I am indebted to Rick and Brenda Morgan Tavares of Campo, California 
and to Wilbert ``Shorty'' Estabrook of Murrieta, California who brought 
this issue to my attention. Shorty survived the Tiger Camp death march 
during the Korean War and was imprisoned for over three years. Brenda's 
uncle, Corporal Melvin Morgan, died of starvation and beatings in 1950 
at the age of 20 in Korea.

[[Page E984]]

  Today, I am also introducing H.R. 2370, the ``In Memory Medal for 
Forgotten Veterans Act''. There are two groups of veterans who I 
believe need recognition beyond what they are currently receiving. The 
first are veterans who have died as a result of their service in the 
Vietnam War but who do not meet the criteria for inclusion on The Wall 
of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC.
  The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has a program called ``In Memory'' 
which has raised money for a plaque that has been placed near The Wall. 
The plaque honors ``those who served in the Vietnam War and later died 
as a result of their service.'' No names are on the plaque, but all 
names are kept in a ``In Memory Book'' at a kiosk near The Wall, and 
families can order a copy.
  My bill adds to this fine recognition by presenting the families of 
these veterans with a medal, to be known as the ``Jesus Chuchi Salgado 
Medal'' to be issued by the Secretary of Defense. Chuchi Salgado was an 
outstanding individual, living in my Congressional district, whose 
exposure to Agent Orange ultimately led to his death. I would like to 
recognize his wife, Carla Salgado, as well as and Dan Santillan, who 
live in my Congressional District in California. Dan suggested the 
appropriateness of this bill.
  The second group of veterans deserving of the ``Jesus Chuchi 
Salgado'' medal are those who were exposed to chemical agents, ionizing 
radiation, or chemical and herbicide agents during their service in the 
Armed Forces. The medal would be presented to veterans who are still 
living or to their families if they have died. Thomas Barnes of 
Whittier, California requested that action be taken to commemorate and 
honor such veterans.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me in co-sponsoring and passing 
H.R. 2369 and H.R. 2370. It is critical that we honor and remember 
those who have fought so gallantly for our freedom!

                          ____________________