[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 8685] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA ______ HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN of new york in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 5, 1999 Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, after 26 years of working closely with the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, it should come as no surprise that I rise today to express my full support for their forthcoming trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia scheduled from May 12-20, 1999. For more than a quarter of a century, I have witnessed, firsthand, the league's tireless efforts and faithful dedication to those who have selflessly served our country during the war in Southeast Asia. For 30 years, the National League of Families has remained vigilant in its goal of determining the fate of those members of the United States Armed Forces still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Like so many Americans across our land, I have come to deeply respect and appreciate all that the League has done for those who have done so much for our Nation. I have been a strong advocate of obtaining the fullest possible accounting of our POW/MIA's since I first came to the Congress in 1973. As a junior Congressman, my first trip overseas was to Laos to visit the Hmong people who protected our downed airmen during the war. I proudly supported the creation of the Select Committee on Missing Persons in Southeast Asia, the National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and POW/MIA legislation because I believe the families of those who are missing deserve no less. In my trips to Vietnam over the years, I have shared the League's frustrations with the accounting process. I am aware of the steps the Vietnamese government has recently taken to address the concerns of our POW/MIA families, but I believe further steps--steps the League has long recommended--should be pursued. Regrettably, by normalizing relations with Vietnam, I believe that we have withdrawn our leverage with the Vietnamese Government on this issue. Once again, I strongly urge the Governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to engage in serious dialogue to improve the transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency of POW/MIA investigations. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have worked with the League on this important issue. It is a pleasure to bring recognition to one of our family groups which has toiled so long and so hard in support of our servicemen and women. I wish Ann Mills Griffith, Dick Childress and their team a safe and productive visit to Southeast Asia and I look forward to their report upon their return. ____________________