Bill Text: MI HR0320 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare September 21, 2012 as POW/MIA Recognition Day in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2012-09-19 - Adopted [HR0320 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0320-Enrolled.html
Reps. Hughes, Barnett, Brown, Byrum, Constan, Crawford, Darany, Denby, Durhal, Geiss, Heise, Horn, Kandrevas, Knollenberg, LeBlanc, Liss, Lori, MacMaster, Poleski, Potvin, Slavens, Talabi and Tyler offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 320.
A resolution to declare September 21, 2012 as POW/MIA Recognition Day in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, The United States has fought in many wars. Thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the enemy or listed as missing in action; and
Whereas, It has always been the creed of those who wear a military uniform never to leave a fallen comrade on the battlefield. On this day we pay tribute to those who are missing in action or have been taken prisoner of war and never returned home; and
Whereas, To date, a total of 83,467 Americans are listed as prisoners of war or missing in action since World War II. This includes 73,681 in World War II, 7,951 in the Korean War, 1,657 in Vietnam, 127 in the Cold War, and 6 in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom; and
Whereas, We as a nation can never collectively rest until we account for all those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country; and
Whereas, We express our deepest gratitude to these patriots in both words and actions, knowing they were fighting to protect our rights and freedoms; and
Whereas, Many American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhuman treatment by their enemy captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war, and many such prisoners of war died from such treatment; and
Whereas, Many of these Americans are still missing and unaccounted for, and the uncertainty surrounding their fates has caused their families to suffer acute hardship; and
Whereas, Their work will not be complete, nor will our commitment be fulfilled, until they come home; and
Whereas, The stark MIA/POW flag will fly proudly near the U.S. and state of Michigan flags on September 21, serving as a commanding reminder that the duty of those who are missing in action or prisoners of war is finished, but ours continues as we seek to find, repatriate and honor these courageous men and women; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 21, 2012 as POW/MIA Recognition Day in the state of Michigan.
