[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9495]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2003

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
  Our country's former prisoners of war are national heroes. Their 
service placed them in harm's way, causing their capture and 
imprisonment. They have suffered and sacrificed a great deal to ensure 
our freedom and national security.
  These courageous Americans who suffered through often horrific and 
demeaning conditions in wars, including Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War 
and now Operation Iraqi Freedom, have my greatest appreciation and 
respect. I also extend my gratitude to family members of former POWs 
who stood by and supported their loved ones during such excruciatingly 
difficult times.
  Today's recognition of former POWs is particularly appropriate in 
light of the recent rescue of Pfc. Jessica Lynch. Pfc. Lynch was 
captured on March 23, along with 11 other U.S. soldiers from the 507th 
Maintenance Company. On April 2, in a dramatic military operation, she 
was rescued from a hospital in Iraq, and just two days ago was reunited 
with her family.
  The heroism of Jessica Lynch and those who served our country before 
her signifies the high price of liberty.
  As we recognize the former POWs that served our nation, I also want 
to offer my thoughts and sympathies to the family members of those who 
lost a loved one or have a loved one who is missing in action from the 
ongoing war in Iraq as well as past military conflicts.
  On behalf of the people of the 4th Congressional District of New 
York, thank you to all former POWs for your brave service to America. 
To those who are still being held, we all pray for your safe rescue and 
that you come home soon.

                          ____________________