H*3428 Session 109 (1991-1992)
H*3428 Concurrent Resolution, By J.M. Baxley
A Concurrent Resolution urging the United States Department of Justice to deny
prisoner of war status to Manuel Noriega.
02/05/91 House Introduced HJ-9
02/05/91 House Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
Resolutions HJ-9
03/06/91 House Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
Memorial Resolutions HJ-2
03/07/91 House Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-34
03/12/91 Senate Introduced SJ-9
03/12/91 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-10
05/29/91 Senate Recalled from Committee on Judiciary SJ-44
06/04/91 Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-17
RECALLED
May 29, 1991
H. 3428
Introduced by REP. Baxley
S. Printed 5/29/91--S.
Read the first time March 12, 1991.
A CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO
DENY PRISONER OF WAR STATUS TO MANUEL NORIEGA.
Whereas, America is free because of her Armed Forces' veterans, and the
citizenry of this country has historically shown their gratitude to those
valiant men and women of our armed services who have died while
protecting our freedom; and
Whereas, the courage, the endurance of adversities, and physical and
mental torturing by enemy captors, and the sacrifices made by America's
brave service members must always be honored; and
Whereas, many thousands of South Carolinians have given their lives for
their country in World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, and
the Vietnam War, and over 685,000 United States citizens have given
their lives nationally during these hostilities; and
Whereas, there were over 8,500 service members left behind somewhere
in North Korea -- either as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action; and,
the Vietnam War ended in 1973 and today there are still more than 2,300
POW/MIA's unaccounted for from that war; and
Whereas, there are even civilian POW's who served in the Philippines
who are not eligible for POW status; and
Whereas, our service members and former Prisoners of War, who have
given their lives for this country, are laid to rest in places known and
unknown throughout this country and around the world; and
Whereas, tribute must continue to be paid to those POW's who served
the cause of freedom and lost their freedom -- for they know, the price
of freedom is never free; and
Whereas, to grant Manuel Noriega Prisoner of War status and the
resultant benefits is a travesty and makes a mockery of the sacrifices of
our Armed Forces members; and
Whereas, there has not been a recent state of war declaration between
the United States and the country of Panama; and
Whereas, Manuel Noriega was not brought to this country as a military
prisoner or state official, but rather under federal criminal indictment as
a fugitive from the American justice system; and
Whereas, at the present time, American heroes are being held as
prisoners of war on foreign soil; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this
resolution, would also like to demonstrate their unwavering support for
the members of our Armed Services, especially the POW's and MIA's.
Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina urges the
United States Department of Justice to reexamine its preliminary
agreement with Manuel Noriega's attorneys and to deny the Prisoner of
War status and any and all related entitlement to Manuel Noriega.
Be it further resolved that the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina urges the United States Department of Justice to treat Mr.
Noriega as a suspected criminal, in violation of U. S. Federal
drug-trafficking charges.
Be it further resolved that the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina also urges the U.S. Department of Justice to continue to work
with the government of Panama to arrive at a waiver to any and all
entitlements, benefits, or any type of renumeration, which might result
from the granting of Prisoner of War status under the terms of the
Geneva Convention of 1949, should that be determined.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the
U.S. Department of Justice, the National Security staff, the presiding
officers and the majority and minority leaders of both Houses of the
Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of the Senate and the
Clerk of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United
States, to the South Carolina members of the U.S. Congress, and to Mr.
John Northrup, Legislative Chairman, South Carolina Department of
American Ex-Prisoners of War.
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