Political Quotes

“I join in acknowledging National POW/MIA Recognition Day this September 20, 2024, in heartfelt memory of Idaho's and all of America's prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA). In August, Idaho welcomed home Lieutenant Allan Wesley Knepper. He was finally laid to rest at home in Lewiston, ID, on August 2, 2024, after making the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great Nation during World War II. The airplane he was piloting was shot down on July 10, 1943, and he was listed as MIA for decades. He was brought home because of the love and respect of his family and people who knew him and many others who worked together to share information, find him, and return him home. This included the diligent research of his friend's son and work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) the Agency primarily responsible for recovering America's servicemembers. Lieutenant Knepper's return and the steady return of other veterans across our country is encouraging as they show what can be achieved when relatives, friends, and investigators are able to share knowledge and work together. That is one of the reasons I continue to press for the enactment of the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, which I joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen, in re-introducing this Congress. This legislation would help eliminate obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing the records needed for recovering America's POWs and MIA.…”