South Carolina General Assembly
113th Session, 1999-2000

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Bill 920


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COMMITTEE REPORT

April 13, 2000

S. 920

Introduced by Senators Moore, Washington, Wilson, Reese, O'Dell, Passailaigue, Setzler, Hayes, Leatherman, Branton, Courson and Glover

S. Printed 4/13/00--S. [SEC 4/14/00 2:08 PM]

Read the first time January 11, 2000.

            

THE GENERAL COMMITTEE

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 920), to memorialize the President and the Congress of the United States to renew and intensify their efforts and negotiations for a full accounting and return of all Americans who are reported as Missing in Action or are Prisoners of War, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

ADDISON G. WILSON, for Committee.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO RENEW AND INTENSIFY THEIR EFFORTS AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR A FULL ACCOUNTING AND RETURN OF ALL AMERICANS WHO ARE REPORTED AS MISSING IN ACTION OR ARE PRISONERS OF WAR IN ANY MILITARY ACTION RESULTING FROM A WORLD WAR, THE KOREAN WAR, AND ALL OTHER WARS, INCLUDING THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN WAR; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE GRANTING OF REFUGEE STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES TO THOSE SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONALS OF CERTAIN FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN WHICH AMERICAN VIETNAM WAR PRISONERS OF WAR OR SERVICEMEN LISTED AS MISSING IN ACTION MAY BE PRESENT, IF THOSE SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONALS ASSIST IN THE RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES OF THOSE PRISONERS OF WAR OR THOSE LISTED AS MISSING IN ACTION.

Whereas, many American military personnel who fought bravely to defend the United States and personal freedoms around the world have yet to be accounted for, including those serving in World Wars, the Korean War, Southeast Asia, and all other conflicts; and

Whereas, it is reported that approximately twenty-five hundred Americans remain in Vietnam, that the remains of approximately four hundred United States servicemen are being held, and that there has been eyewitness testimony to indicate that several Americans are still alive in captivity throughout Southeast Asia; and

Whereas, the United States Congress has sponsored several pieces of legislation to grant refugee status to nationals of certain Southeast Asian countries in which American Vietnam War Prisoners of War or servicemen listed as Missing in Action may be present, if the nationals of those certain Southeast Asian countries assist in the return to the United States of those Vietnam War Prisoners of War or those servicemen listed as Missing in Action; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina reaffirms its hope and desire that time will not efface the memory of these valiant Americans who have made great sacrifices for their country; and

Whereas, it is the sense of the General Assembly of South Carolina that vigorous efforts should be continued by the government of the United States to obtain the return of all Americans from any country where they may be held or their remains may be interred; and

Whereas, part of the vigorous efforts made by the United States to secure the return of American Prisoners of War and servicemen listed as Missing in Action from Southeast Asian countries should include the granting of refugee status to those nationals of certain Southeast Asian countries who assist in the return of Vietnam War Prisoners of War and servicemen listed as Missing in Action. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the President and the Congress of the United States are memorialized to renew and intensify their efforts and negotiations for a full accounting and return of all Americans who are reported as Missing in Action or are Prisoners of War in any military action resulting from a World War, the Korean War, and all other conflicts, including the Southeast Asian war, and that the President and the Congress utilize the granting of refugee status to those nationals of certain Southeast Asian countries who assist in the return to the United States of those Vietnam War Prisoners of War or servicemen listed as Missing in Action alive.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, to the President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each United States Senator from South Carolina, as well as each member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina.

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