OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Recognizing the Commitment of the United States to the Recovery and Accounting for Americans Who are Prisoners of War or Missing

Date: Feb. 18, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs


RECOGNIZING THE COMMITMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO THE RECOVERY AND ACCOUNTING FOR AMERICANS WHO ARE PRISONERS OF WAR OR MISSING -- (Extensions of Remarks - February 18, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. DARRELL E. ISSA
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2005

· Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 18. This bill recognizes the historic commitment of the United States to the recovery of and full accounting for Americans who are prisoners of war or in a missing status.

· I would like to personally thank Mr. FRANKS and Mr. HUNTER for bringing this important Resolution to the floor and I am pleased that the House is taking time out to remember the bravery of the soldiers who participated in the rescue of American and Filipino military prisoners of war.

· As Chairman of the Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am pleased that this resolution not only honors the commitment of United States Army units but also recognizes the courage of the Filipino guerrillas.

· On April 9, 1942, over 75,000 American and Filipino soldiers became prisoners of war during the surrender on the Bataan Peninsula. The soldiers were forced to march without food or water on the infamous 65-mile trek, known as the Bataan Death March. It is believed that 17,000 captives did not survive the march or the ensuing years as prisoners of war. Many historians call the Bataan Death March the worst military atrocity ever suffered by American soldiers in the history of the United States.

· General MacArthur committed forces under his command to make every effort to liberate prisoner of war camps and internment camps. United States Army units and Filipino guerrilla forces successfully conducted rescue missions that liberated innocent civilians, prisoners of war and Filipino citizens. General MacArthur's efforts are an example of the United States' commitment to the recovery and full accounting of our prisoners of war.

· I join my colleagues in recognizing this historic commitment and I urge my colleagues to support this Resolution.

http://thomas.loc.gov

arrow_upward