[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 407 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 407
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 14, 2004
Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Saluting the life and courage of the late Commander Lloyd ``Pete''
Bucher, United States Navy (retired), who commanded the U.S.S. Pueblo
(AGER-2) at the time of its capture by North Korea on January 23, 1968.
Whereas on January 28, 2004, Commander Lloyd ``Pete'' Bucher, United States Navy
(retired), died and was subsequently buried with honors at Fort
Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, San Diego, California;
Whereas Lloyd Bucher was appointed as a commissioned officer in the Navy in June
1953 and in May 1967 was assigned command of the U.S.S. Pueblo (AGER-2),
an
auxiliary light cargo ship designated as an environmental research vessel;
Whereas the U.S.S. Pueblo, while under the command of Commander Bucher and in
international waters conducting an intelligence mission off the coast of
North Korea, was attacked by three North Korean torpedo boats and a
North Korean sub chaser on January 23, 1968;
Whereas the U.S.S. Pueblo was armed only with two .50-caliber machine guns, and
the attack resulted in the death of one Navy sailor and the capture of
Commander Bucher, his crew, and the U.S.S. Pueblo;
Whereas Commander Bucher and his crew were starved and tortured for 11 months,
and were repeatedly beaten, burned on steam radiators, and otherwise
brutally treated by their North Korean captors;
Whereas Commander Bucher bore the brunt of the wrath of the North Koreans;
Whereas crewman James Kell said, ``We were all beaten, we all were tortured. But
[Commander Bucher] had it double, triple, quadruple what we got.'';
Whereas crewman Stu Russell said, ``[Commander Bucher] was a giant. No matter
who did what, he was always punished. I simply don't know where he got
the strength and courage to go through what he did.'';
Whereas on December 23, 1968, the crew of the U.S.S. Pueblo was released, some
of whom were crippled or nearly blind because of the brutality and
malnourishment they endured;
Whereas Commander Bucher retired from the Navy in 1973; and
Whereas Commander Bucher is survived by his wife, Rose, their two sons, and
several grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) salutes the life and courage of the late Commander
Lloyd ``Pete'' Bucher, United States Navy (retired), who
commanded the U.S.S. Pueblo (AGER-2) at the time of its capture
by North Korea on January 23, 1968, and who passed away on
January 28, 2004;
(2) praises Commander Bucher for his exemplary bravery and
sacrifice, which were an inspiration to his crew and the United
States, while he and his crew were held in captivity for 11
months in North Korea;
(3) praises the bravery of the crew of the U.S.S. Pueblo;
and
(4) expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the family and
friends of Commander Bucher.
Passed the House of Representatives September 13, 2004.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.