H. Res. 62
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
February 12, 2003.
Whereas recent world events have brought Americans closer
together, while reinvigorating our patriotism, reminding
us of our precious liberties and freedoms, and giving us
a greater appreciation for the men and women of the
United States Armed Forces who daily defend our home-
land;
Whereas the honor and valor of past and present members
of the United States Armed Forces have inspired many
young people, once again, to serve their country;
Whereas participation by the United States Armed Forces in
combat operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam
conflict resulted in more than 700 American military per-
sonnel being taken prisoner by enemy forces;
Whereas American military personnel who were taken pris-
oner were held in numerous prisoner of war facilities, the
most notorious of which was Hoa Lo Prison in downtown
Hanoi, Vietnam, which was dubbed by prisoners held
there as the ‘‘Hanoi Hilton’’;
Whereas on January 23, 1973, the United States and North
Vietnam jointly announced the terms of a cease-fire
agreement, which included the release of prisoners of
war;
•HRES 62 EH
Whereas the return of the American prisoners of war to the
United States and to their families and comrades was
designated Operation Homecoming;
Whereas on January 23, 1973, the first group of American
prisoners of war were released at airfields near Hanoi
and Loc Ninh, and the last Operation Homecoming repa-
triation took place on April 1, 1973;
Whereas many American military personnel who were taken
prisoner as a result of combat in Southeast Asia have not
returned to their loved ones and their fate remains un-
known;
Whereas American military personnel who were prisoners of
war in Southeast Asia were routinely subjected to brutal
mistreatment, including beatings, torture, starvation, and
denial of medical attention and outside information, and
were frequently isolated from each other and prohibited
from communicating with one another;
Whereas the prisoners, at great personal risk, nevertheless
devised a means to communicate with each other through
a code transmitted by tapping on cell walls;
Whereas the prisoners held in the Hanoi Hilton included
then-Major Samuel R. Johnson, United States Air Force,
now a Member of Congress from the Third District of
Texas, who was shot down on April 16, 1966, while fly-
ing his 25th mission over North Vietnam, who spent
more than half of his time as a prisoner in solitary con-
finement, conducted himself with such valor as to be la-
beled by the enemy as a die-hard resister, and, notwith-
standing the tremendous suffering inflicted upon him,
demonstrated an unfailing devotion to duty, honor and
country, who, during his military career, was awarded
•HRES 62 EH
two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished
Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with ‘‘V’’ device for valor,
two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Out-
standing Unit awards, who retired from active duty in
1979 in the grade of colonel, and who personifies the
verse in Isaiah 40:31, ‘‘They shall mount with wings as
eagles’’;
Whereas the American military personnel who were prisoners
of war during the Vietnam conflict truly represent all
that is best about America;
Whereas the 30th anniversary of Operation Homecoming be-
gins on February 12, 2003, and ends on April 1, 2003;
Whereas the world acknowledges that the words inscribed by
an American prisoner of war in a Hanoi Hilton cell,
‘‘Freedom has a taste to those who fight and die for it
that the protected will never know’’, are bitterly true and
eternally appreciated; and
Whereas the Nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriots
and their families for their courage, heroism, and exem-
plary service: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) expresses its deepest gratitude for, and calls
upon all Americans to reflect upon and to show their
gratitude for, the courage and sacrifice of the brave
members of the United States Armed Forces, including
particularly Sam Johnson of Texas, who were held as
prisoners of war during the Vietnam conflict;
•HRES 62 EH
(2) urges States and localities to honor the courage
and sacrifice of those prisoners of war with appropriate
ceremonies and activities;
(3) acting on behalf of all Americans, will not forget
the 1,902 members of the United States Armed Forces
who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict
and will continue to press for a full accounting of all of
these members; and
(4) honors all of the members of the United States
Armed Forces who have fought and died in the defense
of freedom.
Attest:
Clerk.