[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9722]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO PRIVATE JESSICA LYNCH ON NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR 
                            RECOGNITION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NICK J. RAHALL, II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2003

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to America's 
heroes on National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
  The holiday is all the more poignant this year. This year the world 
celebrated the rescue of POW Private Jessica Lynch from an Iraqi 
hospital. This brave West Virginia woman fought capture as she watched 
her comrades die next to her. West Virginians are especially proud of 
the rescue of one of our own and proud of the troops, including some of 
West Virginia's own National Guard, who were involved in her return. 
This was a truly remarkable moment for West Virginia's service men and 
women.
  We may never know all the details of the ordeal Private Lynch endured 
while held in Iraqi captivity. Like so many POWs before her, not only 
are there physical wounds to heal but mental and spiritual. As 
Americans, it is our duty to welcome back these heroes who fought for 
our freedom. We must give all of our returned POWs the support they 
require and deserve and share with them our pride in their sacrifice to 
the Nation. We give thanks to God for the return of our POWs and ask 
Him to watch over our soldiers and our Nation.

                          ____________________