S7894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 1, 2002 He will be sorely missed by all of us was waiting for me,’’ Ziegler said. As the EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED who have had the honor of working days passed, O’Connor heard Thompson scratching every morning against the other As in executive session the Presiding with him. Officer laid before the Senate messages Roger, I wish you fair winds and fol- side of this cell wall. ‘‘One day I asked him what he was doing. from the President of the United lowing seas. It has been an honor to ‘Standing up,’ he said. Standing up! It took States submitting sundry nominations ∑ represent you in the U.S. Senate. him half an hour.... Every day I heard him which were referred to the appropriate f standing up.’’ Months later, during a routine committees. indoctrination session for POWs, Thompson (The nominations received today are TRIBUTE IN REMEMBRANCE OF collapsed into a violent convulsion. That LTC FLOYD JAMES THOMPSON amazing heart was in seizure, probably from printed at the end of the Senate pro- ∑ Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, I starvation, doctors later surmised. ceedings.) rise today to pay tribute to the late ‘‘A couple of us were told to carry him f LTC Floyd ‘‘Jim’’ Thompson. He spent back to his cell,’’ O’Connor recalled. ‘‘We didn’t see him move.’’ Guards came later and MEASURES READ THE FIRST TIME 9 excruciating years as a prisoner of took Thompson away. The other POWs fig- The following joint resolution was war in Vietnam fighting for his life and ured he was dying if not already dead. our Nation. As the longest-held pris- Before leaving Vietnam in 1973, they read the first time: oner of war, Colonel Thompson em- learned he survived and his mystique grew, S.J. Res. 43. Joint resolution proposing an bodies the core values of the American particularly among soldiers. His five years of amendment to the Constitution of the soldier. He survived because of his spir- solitary ended April 1, 1969, when he was United States to guarantee the right to use it, courage and determination, and will tossed into a cell with three other Ameri- and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the national motto. forever stand as an American hero. cans, including Lew Meyer, a Navy civilian firefighter. Meyer and Thompson began an f Colonel Thompson should be remem- astonishing daily exercise regime, leading to bered for his service to our great coun- escape, Thompson’s fifth attempt, in the fall EXECUTIVE AND OTHER try and the tremendous sacrifices that of 1971. The pair avoided recapture in North COMMUNICATIONS he made. I ask that an article by Mr. Vietnam for two days. For his courage and Tom Philpott be printed in the leadership in this incident, the first observed The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with RECORD. by other POWs, Thompson would receive the Silver Star. accompanying papers, reports, and doc- AMERICA’S LONGEST-HELD PRISONER OF WAR At home, within a year of losing her hus- REMEMBERED uments, which were referred as indi- band, Alyce Thompson saw her support cated: Army Col. Floyd ‘‘Jim’’ Thompson, the structure collapsing. She decided to move EC–8402. A communication from the Presi- longest-held prisoner of war in American his- her four children into the home of a retired dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- tory, died July 16 in Key West, Fla. At age soldier, and pose as his wife. She instructed suant to law, the periodic report on the na- 69, his heart finally gave out, ending one of the Army to withhold Thompson’s name tional emergency with respect to Libya that the most remarkable lives among heroes of from POW lists. For years, the Army com- was declared in Executive Order 12543 of Jan- the Vietnam War. Thompson’s death came 34 plied. By the time Thompson was freed, in uary 1986; to the Committee on Banking, years after fellow POWs thought they saw March 1973, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Housing, and Urban Affairs. him die in Bao Cao, the nickname of a cruel had returned and been celebrated as the EC–8403. A communication from the Presi- prison camp in North Vietnam. It was also 25 longest-held POW. Thompson became a back- dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- years after Thompson saw every dream that page story except in his hometown news- suant to law, the periodic report on the na- had kept him alive in Vietnam shattered in paper. tional emergency with respect to Iraq that the aftermath of our longest war, a conflict At first, he didn’t care. He was struggling was declared in Executive Order 12722 of Au- vastly different from the war against terror to fulfill dreams of family and career. He and gust 2, 1990; to the Committee on Banking, in Afghanistan. ‘‘I am a soldier. Period,’’ Alyce tried to save their marriage, with dev- Housing, and Urban Affairs. Thompson would say if asked about the po- astating consequences for the children. EC–8404. A communication from the Presi- litical correctness of the Vietnam War. End Thompson himself wasn’t well-armed for dent of the United States, transmitting, pur- of argument, and an icy stare. that task, battling alcoholism, depression, suant to law, a report concerning the con- Through nine years of torture, starvation, and a deep sense of betrayal that never tinuation of the national emergency with re- and unimaginable deprivation, Thompson eased. showed us the resiliency of the human spirit. After losing his family, Thompson fought spect to Iraq beyond August 9, 1990; to the He refused to die, and until death had a will- to save his career. Again, alcohol interfered, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban fulness that inspired awe. He survived on aggravating a nine-year professional gap Affairs. dreams of returning home to a loving wife, with officer peers. Thompson never blamed EC–8405. A communication from the Con- four adoring children, and a grateful nation. the Army or the war for his troubles. He suf- gressional Review Coordinator, Animal and When none of that squared with reality, fered a massive stroke in 1981, which forced Plant Health Inspection Service, Department years of bitterness followed. him to retire. Disabled, he moved to Key of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to The avalanche of challenges at home, West and shut himself off from family and law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Payments Thompson believed, did not diminish his friends. His identity as a former POW, as for Cattle and Other Property Because of Tu- heroics or steadfast resistance before the longest-held, made life worthwhile. He had berculosis’’ (Doc. No. 00–105–1) received on enemy. Those who saw his strength agree flag poles installed in front of his condo- July 30, 2002; to the Committee on Agri- that what he endured, and how, won’t be for- minium complex so one could fly the POW– culture, Nutrition, and Forestry. gotten. By the spring of 1968, Thompson had MIA flag. A bronze plaque mounted nearby EC–8406. A communication from the Con- been held in jungle cages and dank prison refers to Thompson, the resident hero. gressional Review Coordinator, Animal and cells more than four years, all of it in soli- Bolted to the fender of his new black Cad- Plant Health Inspection Service, Department tary confinement. The experience turned a illac are two large U.S. flags, fit for a motor- of Agriculture, transmitting, pursuant to 170-pound Special Forces officer into a ‘‘skel- cade. His license plate reads ‘‘POW.’’ law, the report of a rule entitled ‘‘Fee In- eton with hair,’’ said one POW, describing Thompson left instructions to be cremated creases for Overtime Services’’ (Doc. No. 00– Thompson at first sight. His appearance lit- and, without ceremony, that his ashes be 087–2) received on July 30, 2002; to the Com- erally frightened other Americans, most of spread at sea—unless, at time of death, he mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For- them soldiers captured in the Tet offensive. had been awarded the Medal of Honor. In estry. Warrant Officer Michael O’Connor/glimpsed that case, with his sacrifices properly recog- EC–8407. A communication from the Prin- Thompson through a crack between wall and nized, he wanted to be buried at Arlington cipal Deputy Associate Administrator of the cell door. He was inches away, leaning National Cemetery. Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- against his own cell bars. Whether Jim Thompson deserves the na- ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- ‘‘This guy is dead, I thought,’’ O’Connor tion’s highest military honor, others will de- titled ‘‘Acephate, Amitraz, Carbaryl, told me for Glory Denied, my book about the cide. Surely, for what he gave, he deserved Chlorpyritos, Cryolite, et al.; Tolerance Rev- Thompson saga. ‘‘As part of some cruel joke, more than he got.∑ ocations’’ (FRL7191–4) received on July 31, I thought they had stuck a corpse up against 2002; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nu- the door. Then I realized he was moving.’’ f trition, and Forestry. Dick Ziegler, a captured helicopter pilot, MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT EC–8408. A communication from the Prin- heard Thompson say he had been shot down cipal Deputy Associate Administrator of the in March 1964. Ziegler did a quick calcula- Messages from the President of the Environmental Protection Agency, transmit- tion, and began to cry. ‘‘Eyes sunk way back United States were communicated to ting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule en- in his head, cheekbones sticking out.... He the Senate by Ms. Evans, one of his titled ‘‘Fludioxonil, Pesticide Tolerance’’ scared me to death. I understood then what secretaries. (FRL7188–7) received on July 31, 2002; to the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 20:08 Jan 09, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4637 Sfmt 0634 E:\2002SENATE\S01AU2.PT2 S01AU2 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY August 1, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7895 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Whereas, on February 20, 1942, President Navy, or Air Force during World War II to Forestry. Manuel Quezon and Vice President Sergio become a United States citizen; and EC–8409. A communication from the Chief, Osmena of the Philippine Commonwealth Whereas, even while the war was raging, Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, left Corregidor for the United States to form alien soldiers in England, Iceland, and North Department of the Treasury, transmitting, a government in exile. On March 11, 1942, Africa, who served in American military pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled General MacArthur left Corregidor for Aus- forces, could be naturalized as United States ‘‘Appeals Settlement Guidelines: Construc- tralia to take over the defense of the south- citizens. This naturalization was made pos- tion/Real Estate—Retainage Payable’’ ern Pacific area. It was upon his arrival in sible because beginning in January 1943, nat- (UIL:0460 .03–10) received on July 30, 2002; to Melbourne that he issued his famous pledge, uralization officers were dispatched to for- the Committee on Finance. ‘‘I shall return’’; and eign countries where they accepted applica- EC–8410. A communication from the Chief, Whereas, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the tions, performed naturalization ceremonies, Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, East Indies (Indonesia) fell before the fierce and swore into American citizenship thou- Department of the Treasury, transmitting, Japanese advance in the week following the sands of alien soldiers; and pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled attack on Pearl Harbor. The soldiers in the Whereas, while the Philippines was under ‘‘Paul Pekar v. Commissioner’’ received on Philippines, under the command of Lieuten- Japanese occupation, approximately 7,000 July 30, 2002; to the Committee on Finance. ant General Jonathan Wainright, fought on. Filipino soldiers were naturalized outside EC–8411. A communication from the Chief, Their valiant struggle, the only Allied resist- the Philippines. The great majority of Fili- Regulations Unit, Internal Revenue Service, ance in East Asia during the winter and pino soldiers in the country, however, were Department of the Treasury, transmitting, spring of 1942, slowed down the enemy and not even aware of these liberal naturaliza- pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled gave Australia more time to strengthen its tion benefits. The United States withdrew its ‘‘Notice 2002–53, 2002 Section 43 Inflation Ad- defenses; and naturalization officer from the Philippines justment’’ received on July 29, 2002; to the Whereas, thousands of Japanese infantry- for nine months and then allowed the law to Committee on Finance. men, supported by artillery barrages and lapse in 1946, so few Filipino veterans were EC–8412. A communication from the Clerk tank fire power, pounded the Filipino-Amer- able to exercise their rights in a timely man- of the Court, United States Court of Federal ican lines. Overhead, Japan’s air corps ner—rights that had been supposedly earned Claims, transmitting, the Report of the Re- soared and bombed the foxholes, hospitals, on the battlefield for a lifetime; and view Panel relative to a private relief bill; to and ammunition dumps of Bataan. From the Whereas, although the Immigration Act of the Committee on the Judiciary. sea the enemy warships poured lethal shells 1990 rectified this foreclosure of rights by on the defenders’ positions. Bataan was permitting Filipino veterans of World War II f doomed. The defenders, weakened by hunger, to apply for naturalization and to receive PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS disease, and fatigue, fought fiercely and benefits after May 1, 1991, it did not remedy many died as heroes; and the betrayal of Filipino veterans orches- The following petitions and memo- Whereas, Bataan fell on April 9, 1942. Cor- trated forty-five years earlier by a cost-con- rials were laid before the Senate and regidor’s Voice of Freedom radio station an- scious country through the Rescission Act of were referred or ordered to lie on the nounced, ‘‘Bataan has fallen, but the spirit 1946 and the Second Supplemental Surplus table as indicated: that made it stand—a beacon to all the lib- Appropriation Rescission Act (1946), which POM–274. A House Concurrent Resolution erty-loving peoples of the world—cannot declared that the service performed by many adopted by the Legislature of the State of fall’’. As many as 36,000 Filipino and Amer- Filipino veterans was not ‘‘active service’’ Hawaii relative to legislation to repeal the ican soldiers were captured by the victorious and denied them their veterans benefits after Rescission Act of 1946 and the Second Sup- Japanese. Forced to set out on the infamous the fact; and plemental Surplus Appropriation Rescission ‘‘Death March’’ to San Fernando, tens of Whereas, while Filipino-American veterans Act of 1964, and to restore Filipino World thousands died from hunger, thirst, disease, who served honorably in an active-duty sta- War II Veterans’ to full United States Vet- and exhaustion. Survivors were crammed tus under the command of the USAFFE or erans’ status and benefit; to the Committee into boxcars and shipped to imprisonment in within the Philippine Army, the Philippine on Veterans’ Affairs. Capas; and Scouts, or recognized guerrilla units, be- Whereas, General Wainwright and the tween September 1, 1939, and December 31, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 34 12,000 Filipino and American soldiers man- 1946, braved the same dangers and were enti- Whereas, on July 26, 1941, President Frank- ning the rocky fortress of Corregidor contin- tled to apply for naturalization, only those lin Roosevelt called back to active duty ued to fight, but after the fall of Bataan, the persons who served in the armed forces of Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur, who end was in sight for them as well. On May 6, the United States or joined the Philippine was then serving as military adviser to the 1942, Major General William Sharp was or- Scouts before October 6, 1945, currently are Commonwealth government in the Phil- dered to be stop future useless sacrifice of entitled to the full-range of veterans bene- ippines. President Roosevelt appointed Gen- human life in the Fortified Islands, and to fits; and eral MacArthur to command the newly surrender all troops under his command in Whereas, it should be the right of every formed United States Armed Forces in the the Visayan Islands and Mindanao. Cor- Filipino-American veteran of World War II, Far East (USAFFE); and regidor fell almost five months to the day who served honorably in an active-duty sta- Whereas, General MacArthur mobilized the after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Organized tus under the Philippine Scouts, or recog- entire Philippine Commonwealth Army, con- military resistance to the invasion of the nized guerrilla units, to receive the full- sisting of approximately 212,000 soldiers, into Philippines ended that day; and range of veterans benefits, including a non- the USAFFE and reinforced approximately Whereas, many Filipino officers and men service disability burial allowance and pen- 10,000 American soldiers, including the 10,000- refused to heed the order to surrender. They sion, treatment for nonservice connected dis- strong Philippine Scouts (who were the Fili- fled to the hills with their arms and, with abilities at Veterans Hospitals in the United pino regulars in the American army) and the the help of the civilian population, waged a States, home loan guarantees, burial in a na- 6,000-strong Philippine Constabulary, under relentless guerrillas war against the invad- tional or state veterans cemetery and the command of American military forces; ers. The guerrillas, almost without arms at headstones, contract national service life in- and the beginning, hungry, and unclothed, gave surance and educational assistance for Whereas, with the destruction of the battle to the enemy from every nook and spouses and surviving spouses; and United States fleet at Pearl Harbor and the corner of the land. For three seemingly in- Whereas, those who served in the armed United States Air Force at Clark Field, and terminable years and despite unbelievable forces of the United States or Philippine with the withdrawal of United States naval hardships, they carried the torch of freedom; Scouts that enlisted prior to October 6, 1945, forces to Java, the USAFFE lost its naval and are eligible for full veterans’ benefits, but and air support in the first few days of the Whereas, it was against the backdrop of others can only receive partial benefits. war in the Pacific; and Bataan, Corregidor, and other theaters of Those with limited benefits include veterans Whereas, within days, Japanese troops battle, where alien soldiers under the United of the Philippine Scouts enlisted after Octo- landed in Aparri and Vigan, in Legazpi and States flag fought bravely and fiercely, that ber 6, 1945, Commonwealth Army of the Phil- Davao, in Lingayen, Atimonan, and Mauban, the United States Congress amended the nat- ippines enlisted between July 26, 1941 and while their planes bombed military objec- uralization provisions of the Nationality Act June 30, 1946, and recognized guerrillas with tives and government centers. Within a few of 1940; and service between April 20, 1942 and June 30, weeks, the American and Filipino forces de- Whereas, in 1942, Congress reestablished 1946. For these groups, monetary benefits are fending Luzon were in full retreat to the the policy it had set forth during the first received in pesos in an amount equivalent to stronghold where General MacArthur pro- World War by providing for the naturaliza- only half of the dollar value, regardless of posed to make a last stand—the peninsula of tion of aliens honorably serving in the armed whether the recipient resides in the Phil- Bataan and the island fortress of Corregidor; forces of the United States during the war. ippines or the United States; and and As part of the second War Powers Act, Con- Whereas, Philippine veterans with military Whereas, in the ensuing months, Japanese gress waived the requirement of residence, service with the Special Philippine Scouts Imperial Forces in the Philippines focused literacy, and education for alien soldiers. who enlisted between October 6, 1945 and all their military might against the The law allowed any alien who was inducted June 30, 1947, under Public Law 190, 79th Con- USAFFE in Bataan and Corregidor; and or who enlisted into the United States Army, gress (‘‘New Scouts’’) are not entitled to full

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