Tom Cole: “this is the first occasion I have had to speak in the well of the House, and I do not expect to ever have an opportunity…”

“this is the first occasion I have had to speak in the well of the House, and I do not expect to ever have an opportunity to speak on a more important issue on a more important occasion. I keep in my office a picture of my uncle who was liberated from an axis prison camp in August 1945 after spending over 3 years in enemy captivity. He is surrounded by another group of brave Americans, and I keep that picture to remind me of the sacrifices people paid so that we have an opportunity to come here and debate and argue and discuss the great issues of the day. I often asked my uncle when I was growing up if he ever thought that he would be left behind or forgotten. He told me never, that he knew no American would ever leave another American in captivity. I knew some day my fellows would come for me. Mr. Speaker, I want to assure those brave men and women in captivity tonight that their country has not forgotten them. We will come for them. We will make sure that they come home safe, sound and free. I also want to join the Members in this House in warning their captors that if they are not treated with respect and with the dignity that they not only deserve but that we extend to our enemies in this particular conflict, there will be a terrific price to pay in terms of being war criminals.”