Bring Home Our Pow and Mia Servicemembers
Floor Speech
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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I organized a discussion here on Capitol Hill focused on a resolution I have introduced which I believe could have a major impact on our Nation's ability to return more than 80,000 American citizens who served in the Vietnam war, Korean war, and World War II who are still missing in action.
I authored H. Con. Res. 56 because I am thankful every day as the father of an injured Army soldier that he returned home safely. I cannot imagine the pain and anguish of the wives, the husbands, the mothers, the fathers, the sons and daughters who wait for decades, and even generations, to receive word regarding their loved one who was taken as a prisoner of war or is missing in action.
We need to make the greatest effort possible to bring home the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We need to fulfill that promise that we leave no man behind. That is why this resolution states that, in order to ensure transparency and efficiency, countries that enter into trade agreements, trade deals with our Nation, must assist in the research and the recovery efforts of America's missing servicemembers.
I am proud to represent the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, which covers a broad expanse of my State's northern and central territory. Over the years, I have heard from the families of servicemen, such as Major Lewis P. Smith II, of Bellefonte, Centre County, a Vietnam soldier who was listed missing in action; Captain Darl Bloom of Morrisdale, Clearfield County, who served in Vietnam as a pilot and is listed as missing in action; and Lieutenant David Myers of State College, Centre County, who also served in Vietnam and is listed as missing in action all these decades later.
These brave men and the thousands of others across our Nation who remain listed as missing or as prisoners of war deserve our most diligent efforts. When a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice, it is our duty to ensure that they are returned home to their loved ones. I appreciate the support of this measure from groups dedicated to our servicemembers and veterans. It is time to bring home the men and women over the past several generations who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
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