[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NIKI TSONGAS

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 21, 2009

  Ms. TSONGAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize September 18th 
as National POW/MIA Recognition Day and to honor and remember the 
members of our armed forces who were prisoners of war and those who to 
this day remain missing in action.
  I want to take this opportunity to thank our veterans, especially our 
POWs and MIAs for their service, and show them our respect and 
gratitude for the sacrifice that they and their families have made for 
our country.
  President Kennedy once said ``a nation reveals itself not only by the 
men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.'' 
We long remember our veterans and the lessons they teach us, and we 
recommit ourselves to never rest until every American who is believed 
to be imprisoned is freed, and every American who is missing is fully 
accounted for.
  We also owe a debt of gratitude to the family members of POWs and 
MIAs for weathering agonizing uncertainty during such a difficult time. 
We, and countless people around the world, are the beneficiaries of 
their courage and their vigilance. This solemn day of recognition 
serves as an important reminder to always honor our duty to support 
those who serve.

                          ____________________