Orrin Hatch: “the amendment I offer today, entitled the Resolution of Claims of American POWs of the Japanese Act of 2003, is…”

“the amendment I offer today, entitled the Resolution of Claims of American POWs of the Japanese Act of 2003, is important because it recognizes the struggle to compensate American POWs once held and forced into slave labor for private Japanese companies during World War II. For those of my colleagues who aren't aware of what our valiant soldiers endured, please let me enlighten you. On April 9, 1942, Allied forces in the Philippines were forced to surrender Bataan to the Japanese. Ten thousand to 12,000 American soldiers were forced to march some 60 miles in broiling heat. We have all heard of this deadly trek, known as the Bataan Death March. What most people do not realize is, after a lengthy internment under horrific conditions, thousands of these POWs were shipped to Japan in the holds of freighters known as 'Hell Ships.' Once in Japan, many of these POWs were forced into slave labor for private Japanese steel mills and other private companies until the end of the war. During the war, over 27,465 Americans were captured and interned by the Japanese; tragically, only 16,000 made it home.”