Trent Lott: “I would like to read just some portions of this resolution and then comment briefly on why we are doing it today…”

“I would like to read just some portions of this resolution and then comment briefly on why we are doing it today: Whereas, John McCain's A-4E Skyhawk was shot down over Hanoi, North Vietnam, on October 26, 1967, and he remained in captivity until March 14, 1973; Whereas, John McCain's aircraft was shorn of its right wing by a Surface to Air Missile and he plunged toward the ground at about 400 knots prior to ejecting; Whereas, upon ejection, John McCain's right knee and both arms were broken; Whereas, John McCain was surrounded by an angry mob who kicked him and spit on him, stabbed him with bayonets and smashed his shoulder with a rifle. . .; Whereas, historians of the Vietnam war have recorded that 'no American reached the prison camp of Hoa Lo in worse condition than John McCain.' Whereas, his North Vietnamese captors recognized John McCain came from a distinguished military family-- I might add, a family from my great State of Mississippi-- and caused him to suffer special beatings, special interrogations, and the cruel offer of a possible early release; Whereas, John McCain sat in prison in Hanoi for over 5 years, risking life from disease and medical complications resulting from his injuries, steadfastly refusing to cooperate with his enemy captors because his sense of honor and duty would not permit him to even consider an early release on special advantage;”