[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 18 Engrossed in House (EH)]
1st Session
H. J. RES. 18
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JOINT RESOLUTION
Recognizing 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.
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 18
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Recognizing 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.
Whereas the surrender during World War II on the Bataan Peninsula, in the
Philippines, in April 1942 led to the capture of more than 75,000
American and Filipino military prisoners of war;
Whereas American, Filipino, and Allied prisoners of war endured the 65-mile
Bataan Death March through the jungles of the Philippines and were
subjected to brutal abuse from which many hundreds of Americans and many
thousands of Filipinos died;
Whereas thousands more American and Filipino civilians were interned across the
region;
Whereas General Douglas MacArthur, the Allied commander for the Southwest
Pacific area, including the Philippine Islands, committed forces under
his command to make every effort, as quickly as possible, to liberate
prisoner of war camps and internment camps as Allied forces began
retaking territory;
Whereas in the fulfillment of that commitment, United States Army units,
together with various Filipino guerilla groups, successfully conducted
several operations that liberated thousands of innocent civilians,
prisoners of war, and Filipino citizens;
Whereas in February 1945, elements of the 11th Airborne Division, particularly
the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of that division, and the 672nd
Amphibious Tractor Battalion conducted a particularly brave and daring
mission behind enemy lines to rescue over 2,000 people at Los Banos
internment camp; and
Whereas the United States has an historic commitment to the recovery of and full
accounting for Americans who are prisoners of war or in a missing
status: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress--
(1) recognizes the rescue missions carried out by units of
the United States Army, including the 11th Airborne Division,
60 years ago in the Philippines during World War II as sterling
examples of that commitment; and
(2) recognizes the bravery and courage of the soldiers and
the Filipino guerillas who participated in those rescue
missions.
Passed the House of Representatives February 16, 2005.
Attest:
Clerk.