*EPF408 02/13/2003
Transcript: Lawmakers Honor American POWs From Vietnam Conflict
(Call for complete accounting of 1,902 MIAs) (3190)

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle honored the sacrifices of American POWs from the Vietnam War and demanded a full accounting of the 1,902 service members still missing in action from that conflict in a February 12 debate on House Resolution 62.

The resolution, which was voted on and passed February 12, the 30th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Homecoming, stressed the need for a full accounting of MIAs.

Representative Victor Snyder (Democrat of Arkansas) recalled Operation Homecoming, which ran from February 12, 1973, until the last repatriation on April 1, 1973. "Who can forget those dramatic news photographs of families being reunited with their POWs, their loved ones," Snyder said, "In less than 2 months, over 500 Americans returned to the United States."

But he pointed out: "During the Vietnam War, over 700 American military personnel were taken prisoner by enemy forces."

Following are excerpts from the February 12 debate in the House of Representatives on House Resolution 62 from the Congressional Record:

(begin transcript)

Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution authored by the distinguished majority leader and gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay). It recognizes the courage and sacrifice of American military personnel held prisoner during the Vietnam conflict and especially highlights the courage and sacrifice of one of our own, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), a POW for 7 years. . . .

Mr. DeLAY. Madam Speaker, It is a timely resolution, as we all know.

Madam Speaker, most of us feel something very special for the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson). We feel a profound sense of gratitude to every American who has suffered greatly in defense of freedom. And prisoners of war frequently suffer levels of abuse that most of us could scarcely imagine, let alone endure.

Each of our American prisoners of war should know that the people of this country cherish their service. They have our solemn gratitude and our solemn appreciation. . . .

(Sam Johnson) emerged from those years of brutality with his essential virtues only that much stronger. His captors attempted to strip away the qualities that took him to Vietnam, but the torturers' twisted objective utterly failed, because far from eroding Sam's defining principles, the abuse only tempered his convictions and raised them to a new plane upon which they were forever beyond the reach of evil or intimidation. . . .

And, as it was for Sam Johnson in the Hanoi Hilton, so too will it be for the United States during our war against tyranny and terrorism. Our enemies may think that acts of brutality and mass murder will divert Americans from our purpose, but they do not understand America. As Sam Johnson, and most Texans would tell them, we have drawn our line in the sand and will never back down until every last terrorist stands before judgment.

Thank you, Sam Johnson, for your service to your country. God bless you, and God bless America. . . .

Mr. McNULTY. Madam Speaker, As I get older, I work more on trying to keep my priorities straight. Among them are remembering that had it not been for all of the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States military through the years, people like me would not have the privilege of going around bragging, as I often do, about how we live in the freest and most open democracy on the face of the Earth. Freedom is not free. We have paid a tremendous price for it.

I try not to let a day go by without remembering with deepest gratitude all of those who, like my own brother Bill, made the supreme sacrifice. . . .

Today, most especially, we salute and pay tribute to all those who endured torture on our behalf as prisoners of war. Chief among them are my friend and colleague from the Committee on Ways and Means, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson), Senator John McCain, and Ambassador Pete Peterson.

I join my colleagues in saluting them for what they went through remembering all of those who endured torture on our behalf as prisoners of war, and renewing our collective commitment to account for all of the American military personnel who are still missing in action.

Ms. GRANGER. Madam Speaker, since September 11, 2001, Americans have had great lessons in what it means to be a hero. We realize more than ever that we owe a debt of gratitude to those patriots and their families who fight to protect our freedoms.

Today, I am rising to particularly recognize a man whose life is a lesson in heroism.

I did not know SAM JOHNSON before I campaigned to join him here in the Congress, but I knew him from his reputation and his record.

After I came to Washington, I read the book he wrote of his experiences in Vietnam. Although it is not a long book, and I am a pretty fast reader, I could not read it all in one sitting as I often do, because I would have to put the book down to wipe my eyes, because I have never known anyone to go through what he went through in the name of America.

He is being recognized today on the 30th anniversary of his release from a North Vietnamese prison camp in Hanoi, where he spent 7 years as a prisoner of war, 7 long years, 3 1/2 in solitary confinement and 2 1/2 in leg irons. During that time, he was a hero to all he came in contact with.

How did he come in contact with his fellow prisoners? By tapping a code on the wall and by memorizing 374 names of other prisoners, because he never lost hope of getting out of that confinement and bringing those names home.

For his service, he was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, three Outstanding Unit Awards, and the admiration, respect, and the appreciation of millions of Americans and Vietnamese. . . .

Mr. SNYDER. Madam Speaker, I rise and join my colleagues in support of House Resolution 62, which recognizes the courage and sacrifices of American prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict and calls for a full accounting of those who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict.

Thirty years ago today the first group of American prisoners of war was officially released from captivity in Vietnam. Operation Homecoming began on February 12, 1973; and the last repatriation occurred on April 1, 1973. Who can forget those dramatic news photographs of families being reunited with their POWs, their loved ones. In less than 2 months, over 500 Americans returned to the United States. During the Vietnam War, over 700 American military personnel were taken prisoner by enemy forces. The first prisoner of war in the Southeast Asia conflict occurred in Laos on March 23, 1961. For some like Floyd Thompson, who was the longest held POW, it would be nearly a decade before his family saw him again. Many were held in infamous prison facilities, such as the Hoa Lo prison, which was referred to by the prisoners as the Hanoi Hilton. Many Members of the House have visited the Hanoi Hilton. . . .

I also mention a former colleague of ours, Pete Peterson from Florida, who was also a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict, shot down on September 10, 1966. He also had a distinguished career in the Air Force and retired as a colonel in 1981. He left Congress and served with distinction as our Nation's first ambassador to Vietnam following the Vietnam conflict. I met with him in Hanoi as many Members did, and he is also a very fine American.

Also a note, Madam Speaker, about civilians. We recognize the sacrifices and courage of our service members who were held as POWs. Twenty-five civilians were also released as prisoners of war during Operation Homecoming. Twelve were released prior to the operation and four escaped. Of the 97 individuals listed by the services that were not returned during Operation Homecoming, 80 were service members but 17 were civilians.

Madam Speaker, recent world events remind us that our freedoms are not free. Men and women in uniform volunteer to protect the liberties and ideals that we hold dear, but there are risks. In our recognition today of our colleague, Congressman SAM JOHNSON, and his former colleagues that served as POWs, once again brings home the sacrifices that are made. We use SAM today as our symbol of all the POWs from that conflict, and we salute them today. . . .

MR. HALL. Madame Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and call for a full accounting of the 1,902 members of our Armed Forces who still remain unaccounted for in unmarked graves or uncharted jails somewhere out there. . . .

He was taken prisoner. He was taken near Hanoi where he and his fellow POWs were subjected day and night to physical and mental abuse but refused to give up sensitive information on the American military campaign, using tap codes at the camp where they were able to keep in contact with one another. . . .

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the gentleman from Texas' (Mr. Sam Johnson) return from Vietnam after nearly 7 years of brutal captivity, I am confident his courageous example will serve as an inspiration to our pilots preparing for possible attacks against Saddam Hussein.

Congressman JOHNSON's devotion to his comrades and his country during 2,500 days of captivity should also serve as a reminder to all Americans of the support our servicemen and women deserve before, during, and after war.

Our voluntary Armed Forces are replete with men and women of extraordinary devotion to duty who are willing to following Congressman SAM JOHNSON's example of steadfast devotion to duty in the face of torturous conditions. We must unite as a Nation in support of our troops as we face a time of great danger to our freedom from terrorists at home and abroad.

Like Congressman JOHNSON, we can rely on our troops' dedication to protect our way of life. We need to do our duty to ensure that they have the material and moral support they need to accomplish the difficult task ahead. . . .

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, through this resolution we express our deepest gratitude to those who endured the cruel conditions as POWs in Vietnam, to their families who suffered at home, and to the sacrifice of every American who defends our freedom.

Our congressional colleagues, the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Peterson; Senator JOHN MCCAIN of Arizona; and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sam Johnson) spent bitter years in the Hanoi Hilton in Vietnam. . . .

One of my boyhood friends was a fighter pilot lost for 30 years on a combat mission in Vietnam whose remains were just recently found. One of my constituents was a soldier serving on the joint task force in Southeast Asia who lost his life last year in an air crash during a search mission. I knew these wonderful young men personally, and I know what their families went through.

Madam Speaker, this resolution pledging never to rest until we have a full accounting for every American lost in action honors the services and the sacrifices that literally made America the home of the free, the land of the brave. . . .

Mr. PITTS. Madam Speaker, those of us who have served our country in the war understand in our hearts what every American understands in his head. We understand the words carved in stone down at the Korean War memorial, the words, ``Freedom is not free.''

Thousands of Americans have died in a war, but of those who did not die, few have gone through what our friend and colleague SAM JOHNSON went through in Vietnam. For years he suffered torture, imprisonment and solitary confinement. They worked on him relentlessly to break his spirit, but the spirit of SAM JOHNSON could not be broken. He refused to betray his country. He refused to give up his faith in God.

I had the privilege of visiting in that prison where he was in solitary 2 weeks ago. It was a horrible place. SAM is a living hero. He is an example to us all. He is living proof that what America stands for is right and just and good.

I thank SAM for his service to our country, and as a fellow vet, I salute him. . . .

MR. CASTLE. Madame Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the military personnel who were held captive during the Vietnam conflict, and to those who have yet to be accounted for.

Today, as we consider the prospects of a war with Iraq, it is important that we remain mindful of the great sacrifices our past soldiers have made in the defense of freedom.

The Vietnam conflict has often been categorized as a dark spot in our nation's history, yet for the U.S. soldiers who suffered from unspeakable acts while prisoners within Vietnam, the pain that they carry with them is not a part of history; it is as real today as it was thirty years ago. And for the 1,902 Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for, we must emphasize our commitment to not forget their continued sacrifices.

In the midst of such uncertainty, we must honor the POWs who languished in horrible conditions until their release in beginning in February of 1973, during ``Operation Homecoming.'' A part of them may have been left behind in Vietnam, but in the end, they were able to rely upon the courage and determination that makes the U.S. Armed Services the best in the world, and ultimately survive to return home to their country and to their families.

Today, I want to remember these POWs and the 1,902 Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for. And I would also like to pay tribute to my friend Sam Johnson, who was among those released during the first day of Operation Homecoming. . . .

Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman so much, and all our colleagues; but you know, this is not about me. This is about our American fighting men that keep America free, the guys and gals the world over. And they are all over the world right now, defending freedom not just for the United States of America but for the world.

I have been a member of the U.S.-Russia Commission on POWs and MIAs now for almost 10 years. We are trying to find out what happened to our missing in action, to those who did not return home from World War II, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam and Iraq, if we have one there. So we have not given up on anyone, and I think that is what America stands for. It stands behind its military. We will go to extreme measures to make sure we recover our people and/or find out what happened to them. We are still pursuing that effort. There are as many as 70,000 from World War II that are missing in action, some 8,000 from Korea, some 1,800 from Vietnam, and maybe one from Iraq.

So this Nation is the greatest Nation in the world, and I and my colleagues who fought for it would say that, even though we were POWs, if we were required to go fight for this Nation again for the freedoms we enjoy, we would do it in a New York minute. So I thank all my colleagues for recognizing the POWs and for recognizing our servicemen and women around the world and all the great things they do for us, and many thanks as well for helping me in this House of Representatives to make this a better Nation for all of us to live in. We are free and independent, one Nation under God.

God bless you all. Thank you for today.

Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution recognizing the courage and sacrifice of those who were held prisoners of war in Vietnam on the 30th anniversary of their release, and calling for a full accounting of those who never returned. This remembrance has a special meaning--not just for those like myself who served in Vietnam and saw the horrors inflicted by our enemy, but for those held captive so long, it is an especially emotional day. And I rise in honor of each of those POWS, for their service to this nation and the sacrifice that stands today as a testament to the greatness of our free nation. . . .

Mr. SIMMONS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 62, recognizing the members of the United States Armed Forces who were held prisoners of war during the Vietnam War, while calling for a full accounting of the 1,902 members of the Armed Forces who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, and a veteran of the Vietnam War, I take great care in this matter. For generations, Americans have taken extraordinary steps to account for all members of our Armed Forces who were lost fighting to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today. . . .

Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, I wish to voice my strong support for House Resolution 62, which honors the observance of the 30th Anniversary of Operation Homecoming. This resolution honors the courage and sacrifice of those members of the United States Armed Forces who were held as prisoners of war during Vietnam and returned home as part of Operation Homecoming.

For most Americans, it is difficult to conceive of the harsh reality that these prisoners of war had to endure. And it is important to appreciate the sacrifice that these men made, and that service members today are prepared to make, in defense of our freedoms.

The first group of American prisoners of the Vietnam War returned home as part of Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973 and the last returned in April of the same year. These American prisoners of war fought for our country with valor and sacrifice. Mr. Sam Johnson, our very own esteemed colleague, is among these heroes. . . .

Ironically, Johnson was one of the lucky ones. He came back home. Almost two thousand members of the United States Armed Forces remain unaccounted for. We must never forget their sacrifices and we must continue the effort to determine what became of them.

As a veteran of the Vietnam War, and as the U.S. Representative of a district that proudly includes nearly 60,000 veterans, I urge my colleagues and everyone across the nation to remember the ordeals experienced by our former prisoners of war. They carried a great burden so that we might live in freedom and prosperity.

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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