John Mica: “I thank the chairman. The defense authorization bill is one of the most important measures we take before the Congress…”

“I thank the chairman. The defense authorization bill is one of the most important measures we take before the Congress because it sets the policy for the Department of Defense. The purpose of the amendment that I have offered and has graciously been included in this en bloc amendment is to recognize the service and sacrifice and make that part of our policy to again realize what took place with the victims of the Bataan Death March during World War II. This amendment also expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Defense should seek to provide compensation to the remaining survivors. Those captured in the Bataan Death March spent an average of 3.5 years in captivity in Japanese prison camps and forced labor factories. Chairman Hunter described some of the torture and forced labor. In order to compensate for the torture, malnutrition and forced labor they endured, the survivors should be provided at least what was then set forth, which is $4 a day for the time spent in captivity, and the bill provides for some compounded annual interest. Even private contractors who were captured and imprisoned received $60 per day. They were, indeed, victims of torture and injustice and unfairness. This amendment is important for Congress to recognize the unbelievable sacrifices of our soldiers who defended our Nation and fought in the Philippines. Very few survivors of the Bataan Death March are still alive today.…”