[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 113 (Wednesday, September 13, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6509-H6511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING THANKS TO DEFENSE POW/MISSING PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR EFFORTS TO 
ACHIEVE ACCOUNTING OF ALL AMERICANS UNACCOUNTED FOR AS A RESULT OF THE 
                              VIETNAM WAR

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 444) extending the thanks of 
Congress and the Nation to the Defense POW/Missing Personnel office, 
the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command of the Department of Defense, the 
Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, the Air Force Life Sciences 
Equipment Laboratory, and the military departments and to the Socialist 
Republic of Vietnam for their efforts to achieve the fullest possible 
accounting of all Americans unaccounted for as a result of the Vietnam 
War, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows

                            H. Con. Res. 444

       Whereas the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO), an 
     element of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, exercises 
     policy, control and oversight within the Department of 
     Defense of the process of investigation, analysis, recovery, 
     and fullest possible accounting of Americans missing as a 
     result of the Nation's previous wars and conflicts;
       Whereas the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), 
     located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, is charged with the 
     mission of conducting investigations, analysis, recovery, and 
     identifications to achieve the fullest possible accounting of 
     all Americans missing as a result of the Nation's wars and 
     conflicts;
       Whereas the laboratory portion of that command, referred to 
     as the Central Identification Laboratory, is the largest 
     forensic anthropology laboratory in the world;
       Whereas the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory 
     (AFDIL), located in Rockville, Maryland, is one of the 
     leading laboratories in the world for processing degraded 
     skeletal remains and family references for mitochondrial DNA;
       Whereas the Air Force Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory 
     (LSEL), located in San Antonio, Texas, houses the most 
     comprehensive technical library and collection of life 
     sciences equipment used by the Armed Forces, to include 
     analysts for artifact identification;
       Whereas National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one of the six 
     days specified in section 902 of title 36, United States 
     Code, as days on which the National League of Families POW/
     MIA flag is to be flown over specified Federal facilities and 
     national cemeteries, post offices, and military 
     installations;
       Whereas as of September 15, 2006, the remains of 60 
     Americans unaccounted for from the Korean War have been 
     recovered, and these remains have been repatriated, 
     identified, and returned to their families;
       Whereas as of September 15, 2006, the remains of more than 
     375 Americans unaccounted for from World War II, the Cold 
     War, and other conflicts fought by the United States have 
     been recovered throughout the world, and these remains have 
     been repatriated, identified, and returned to their families;
       Whereas the improved access of representatives of the 
     United States to information in the Socialist Republic of 
     Vietnam, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and the 
     Kingdom of Cambodia has resulted in the recovery and 
     repatriation of the remains of Americans unaccounted for from 
     the Vietnam War;
       Whereas as of September 15, 2006, 216 Joint Field Actions 
     have been conducted in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, which has 
     resulted in the recovery of the remains of 841 Americans 
     unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, and these remains have 
     been repatriated, identified, and returned to their families;
       Whereas the United States has a historic commitment to the 
     recovery of, and the fullest accounting of, Americans who are 
     missing as a result of the Nation's wars and conflicts; and
       Whereas every member of the United States Armed Forces who 
     is unaccounted for as a result of service to the Nation is 
     equally important, regardless of the time or place of the war 
     or conflict: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That Congress--
       (1) recognizes that National POW/MIA Recognition Day is one 
     of the six days specified by section 902 of title 36, United 
     States Code, as days on which the National League of Families 
     POW/MIA flag is to be flown over specified Federal facilities 
     and national cemeteries, military installations, and post 
     offices;
       (2) applauds the personnel of the Defense POW/Missing 
     Personnel Office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command of the 
     Department of Defense, the Armed Forces DNA Identification 
     Laboratory, the Air Force Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory, 
     and the military departments for continuing their mission of 
     achieving the fullest possible accounting of all Americans 
     unaccounted for as a result of the Nation's previous wars and 
     conflicts;
       (3) extends its appreciation and the appreciation of the 
     people of the United States to the personnel of those 
     offices, commands, and laboratories in the United States, the 
     Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Lao People's Democratic 
     Republic, and the Kingdom of Cambodia for their efforts to 
     achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans who 
     remain unaccounted for as a result of the Vietnam War;
       (4) encourages the United States Government to use all 
     available means to continue the mission described in 
     paragraph (2) at current or greater levels until the fullest 
     possible accounting missing Americans is achieved;
       (5) recognizes that the efforts and involvement of POW/MIA 
     families and veterans contribute significantly to the fullest 
     possible accounting of missing Americans;

[[Page H6510]]

       (6) recognizes the assistance of host nations in supporting 
     the efforts of the United States Government to achieve the 
     fullest possible accounting of all Americans unaccounted for 
     as a result of the Nation's previous wars and conflicts;
       (7) extends its appreciation to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia 
     for continued assistance and cooperation in the humane 
     recovery, repatriation, and identification of the remains of 
     Americas still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War; and
       (8) encourages all host nations to assist and cooperate in 
     the humane recovery, repatriation, and identification of the 
     remains of Americans unaccounted for as a result of the 
     Nation's previous wars and conflicts.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Butterfield) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am honored to rise in support of H. Con. Res. 444, recognizing the 
difficult, demanding and essential work of the Defense/POW Missing 
Personnel Office, or DPMO, and all the others devoted to bringing home 
fallen U.S. servicemembers. DPMO makes sure that none of our men and 
women in uniform are forgotten or left behind on the field of battle.
  This Friday, we will observe National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and I 
am pleased that passage of this resolution will send a message of 
sincere thanks to all who remain dedicated, vigilant and loyal to 
unaccounted for Americans.
  Although he cannot be here with us tonight, I would like to recognize 
my colleague and fellow Vietnam veteran Congressman Lane Evans, who was 
a cosponsor of this resolution and a fellow member of the House Armed 
Services Committee. My good friend from Illinois also shares with me 
co-chair responsibilities on the United States-Vietnam Congressional 
Caucus which we established several years ago. Congressman Evans is 
retiring at the end of this Congress, and I thank him for his 
friendship and for his service. He is a former marine, and he has been 
a great friend to members of all the branches of service. I say to him 
tonight, Lane, Semper Fi.
  This resolution tonight is especially meaningful to Connecticut's 
Second District. In June 1972, CPT Arnold Holm of Waterford, 
Connecticut, was shot down over the central highlands of Vietnam. 
Captain Holm and the two members of his flight crew, PFC Wayne Bibbs 
and SP4 Robin Yeakley, were officially listed as missing in action.
  Numerous searches for the crash site of their helicopter were 
unsuccessful, but the dedicated individuals of the DPMO did not give 
up. Just a few weeks ago, nearly 35 years after the helicopter was shot 
down, the field team in Vietnam appears to have located Captain Holm's 
crash site. I cannot tell you what this means to his wife Margarete 
Holm and to the family. It brings a sense of closure that is 
indescribable to anyone who has not experienced the profound emotions 
of personal loss that goes with having a family member as missing in 
action.
  This resolution gives thanks to all of those who have worked to bring 
home America's POWs and MIAs. It reaffirms our commitment to our fellow 
Americans who have earned the right to be called heroes.
  Americans are unique in this regard because we never leave our own 
behind. It is part of our national character that we do not write off 
those lost in defense of our Nation, no matter where they are, no 
matter how long they have been lost.
  The U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory located in Hawaii has 
an important mission. Their task is to search for, recover and identify 
the remains of servicemembers, certain civilian personnel and allied 
personnel unaccounted for from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam 
War and all other conflicts. DPMO has brought home and identified 
hundreds of previously unaccounted for servicemembers, which is a 
costly and dangerous assignment. Americans, Vietnamese and others have 
lost their lives in search of their lost brothers, but we continue to 
support their mission because their work is a critical element of who 
we are.
  DPMO's mission is critical to the military families who live with 
ambiguity and await closure. By continuing the search, we honor their 
service and their sacrifice.
  I have already shared the story of Captain Holm. I have another. 
Robert Dumas lives in Canterbury, Connecticut. For more than 50 years, 
he has been searching for his brother Roger, who was a POW in Korea. He 
has been to Washington, D.C., more than 100 times and has met with 
Members of Congress and anyone else who might be able to help him 
uncover the fate of his brother. Bob Dumas promised his mother on her 
deathbed that he would never abandon the effort to find his brother, 
and he has kept his word. That is what this resolution is all about, 
keeping our word to those who have served and to their families.
  Men like Roger Dumas, Arnie Holm and millions of others throughout 
our Nation's history have put their lives on the line for us. Some of 
them never returned and the fate of the others remains uncertain, but 
we owe it to them and to their families to try to bring them home.
  The governments of Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia and other Nations 
throughout Southeast Asia also deserve our thanks. They have been 
instrumental in the search for missing U.S. servicemembers. In many 
cases, Vietnamese soldiers and officials have risked and lost their 
lives in the pursuit of American POWs and MIA remains.
  When I put my dog tags on over 40 years ago, I noticed that they did 
not give any indication of my political affiliation, and when you visit 
the graves of our heroes at nearby Arlington Cemetery you will notice 
the same thing. None of the markers identify the soldiers' political 
affiliations. We do not wear the uniform of our country as members of a 
political party but as Americans. We do not continue to search for our 
missing servicemen and women as members of a political party but as 
Americans.
  We will continue to support the efforts of the DPMO all around the 
world because these efforts are important. We will never give up the 
work, the hope or the commitment, and I ask all of my colleagues to 
join in support of this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 444 and thank my friend Mr. Simmons 
from Connecticut for bringing this resolution forward this evening.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution is an expression of appreciation of the 
Congress and the Nation to the personnel of the Department of Defense 
organizations and military departments who are engaged in the mission 
to achieve the fullest possible accounting for all unaccounted 
servicemembers in past and current conflicts.
  It also recognizes the POW/MIA families and the veterans for their 
support and foreign Nations that have assisted in these endeavors, and 
so I am pleased to join my friend from Connecticut in support of this 
measure, and I thank him for bringing it forward.
  Mr. Speaker, on the third Friday of each September our Nation pays 
tribute to our prisoners of war and those still missing in action 
during National POW/MIA Recognition Day. On September 15, we will honor 
America's POWs and all those who have worked and continue the effort to 
leave no servicemember behind.

                              {time}  2045

  There are thousands of people that support these efforts, from teams 
on the ground who conduct investigations, analysis and recovery, to 
those within the Department of Defense Mission Personnel Office, who 
are responsible for developing the policies and the controls and 
oversight. Each and every day these dedicated individuals are working 
to bring home our missing sons and daughters who have served their 
Nation in uniform.

[[Page H6511]]

  The joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii oversees these 
missions. The Central Identification Laboratory is the largest forensic 
anthropology laboratory in the world. The Armed Forces DNA 
Identification Laboratory in Maryland is one of the leading 
laboratories in the world that handles degraded skeletal remains to 
determine DNA results, and the Air Force Life Sciences Equipment 
Laboratory in Texas is home to the most comprehensive technical library 
and collection of life sciences equipment used by the Armed Forces.
  But all of our efforts would be for naught, Mr. Speaker, if we did 
not have the support and cooperation of other nations, such as the Laos 
People's Democratic Republic, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and 
the Kingdom of Cambodia, in helping us achieve the fullest possible 
accounting of all Americans who remain unaccounted from past and 
current conflicts.
  However, even with the state-of-the-art laboratories and highly 
trained personnel and the support of foreign nations, we could not be 
successful as we have been without the support of the families. Yes, 
the families and the loved ones of those missing in action and those 
who were captured and returned home. The support of these families and 
that of our POWs has been immeasurable. We would not be here today in 
support of National POW/MIA Recognition Day without their encouragement 
and without their advocacy.
  On Friday, National POW/MIA Recognition Day will be one of the six 
days specified by law that the National League of Families POW/MIA flag 
is required to be flown over certain Federal buildings, over certain 
national cemeteries, military installations, and post offices. The flag 
will fly as a reminder for all Americans to remember those who remain 
missing in action and those who were captured and have returned home.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, let us also take this special moment to 
recognize those of the current conflict, the current conflict who 
remain missing: SGT Keith ``Matt'' Maupin, United States Army Reserves, 
and MAJ Jill Metzger, United States Air Force. Our thoughts and our 
prayers are with them and with their families and the families of those 
whose loved ones remain missing from previous conflicts.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I would simply like to close by thanking my 
colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina, who serves with great 
distinction on the House Armed Services Committee, serves our country 
in a bipartisan fashion, for his contribution and his cooperation on 
this resolution here tonight
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, on June 29, 2006, my colleague, Mr. Simmons, 
and I introduced H. Con. Res. 444, extending the thanks of Congress and 
the Nation to the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Joint POW/
MIA Accounting Command of the Department of Defense, the Armed Forces 
DNA Identification Laboratory, the Air Force Life Sciences Equipment 
Laboratory, and the military departments and to the Socialist Republic 
of Vietnam for their efforts to achieve the fullest possible accounting 
of all Americans unaccounted for as a result of the Nation's previous 
wars and conflicts. I am honored to stand before you today in support 
of this resolution.
  On Friday we will celebrate National POW/MIA Recognition Day. As a 
Vietnam-era veteran I am deeply touched by the opportunity to discuss 
this resolution on the floor so close to this important day of 
recognition. It is difficult for me to understand that over 30 years 
after the end of hostilities in Vietnam, 1,802 Americans are still 
unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. It is only through the hard work and 
cooperation of the people, officials and governments of Vietnam and the 
United States that the remains of 604 Americans have been identified 
and returned to the United States. They are the heroes who are helping 
to bring closure and peace to so many American families.
  I urge all my colleagues to vote in support of this long overdue 
recognition and send a heartfelt message to all the individuals 
involved in the identification and recovery efforts that a thankful 
Nation values and appreciates the work they do.
  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Likewise, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Simmons) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 444, as 
amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
amended, was agreed to.
  The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read: 
``Concurrent resolution extending the appreciation of Congress and the 
Nation to the Department of Defense organizations, military 
departments, and personnel engaged in the mission to achieve the 
fullest possible accounting for all Americans unaccounted for as a 
result of the Nation's wars, to the POW/MIA families and veterans who 
support the mission, and to foreign nations that assist in the 
mission.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________