[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17345-17346]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               OBSERVING NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2002

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in observance of National POW/
MIA Recognition Day.
  Many of the ideals and beliefs that form the backbone of our nation 
continue to flourish in large part because of the great perseverance 
and dedication of our nation's armed forces. Unfortunately, as we all 
know, during war and even smaller armed conflicts there inevitably are 
troops killed, as well as troops captured by enemy forces or who become 
missing in action.
  It is important that communities regularly honor not only those brave 
soldiers who risked their lives and were killed, but also remember 
those who became either missing or prisoners of war. We must show them 
and their families the appropriate appreciation for their willingness 
to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend and preserve the democratic 
principles held so close to the hearts of all Americans.
  About one year ago, on September 21st, President G.W. Bush declared 
that day as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. By establishing a 
national day of recognition, we have ensured that this country will 
formally honor every year those soldiers who were captured by the enemy 
or fallen missing in battle while serving their country.
  The establishment and observance of a day of recognition for our 
prisoners of war and those missing in action is of great importance for 
the estimated 43,000 retired servicemen who were previously missing or 
held prisoner and who fortunately were able to return to the United 
States. It is just as important for the families and loved ones of 
those who remain unaccounted for or possibly are still in captivity.
  Throughout our nation's history the men and women of the armed 
services have courageously risen to the call of duty ignoring whatever 
trepidation they may have for their own safety and security. While the 
numbers who have perished in the line of duty is a tremendous loss, 
there are also astounding numbers of those who continue to be listed 
MIA or as POWs.

[[Page 17346]]

  Our friends and our neighbors, and even some of our elected 
officials, are former POWs or were listed MIA during their service. 
More than one-forth of the American soldiers held prisoner in the past 
five US conflicts were released by the enemy and returned to the United 
States again.
  World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold 
War era, Operation Desert Storm, and the Kosovo campaign all resulted 
in soldiers listed as MIA or POW.
  Records show that approximately 143,000 Americans were captured and 
interned during those conflicts. This number includes 81 women seized 
on Guam or in the Philippines during World War II, and 2 during the 
Gulf War. Of these 143,000 American soldiers approximately 125,200 have 
since been returned to United States military control. That leaves 
almost 20,000 souls unaccounted for from America's 20th century wars 
and armed conflicts.
  As our country wages the war on terrorism and we debate whether to go 
to war against Iraq, it is more important than ever to remember past 
sacrifices made by the men and women of America's armed forces. It is 
crucial to the continued high morale of our military and the peace of 
mind of missing soldiers' families that we offer our support--we must 
be clear that their loved ones' efforts were not in vain.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, the people of Maryland and 
citizens around the country to celebrate and honor those who have 
selflessly dedicated their lives to serving their country and have, as 
a result, been either imprisoned or remain missing. This country owes a 
debt of gratitude to the current and former POW and MIA soldiers of the 
United States armed forces.

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