Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of House Resolution 925, which recognizes aviators in the United States Armed Forces who were forced to evade or escape enemy capture, were captured but subsequently escaped, or were compelled to endure arduous confinement, retaliation, and even death as a result of their efforts to evade capture or escape. I want to thank my colleague from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) for introducing this measure. As a member of the House Committee on Armed Services, I am honored to recognize the aviators of the Armed Forces who have valiantly served the United States in every major conflict during the 20th and 21st century. Aviators, including pilots, navigators, bombardiers, weapons control officers, and other aircraft crew members, with fierce courage and distinction face the threat of being forced down each time they take to the skies. Madam Speaker, House Resolution 925 recognizes those downed aviators that have not only miraculously survived unexpected flight termination, but also have confronted additional dangers escaping or attempting to escape enemy capture on the ground. It also expresses the sense of the House that those downed aviators that were tortured or killed as a result of their efforts to evade capture or escape should be publicly recognized for their extraordinary service.…”