Volume 96 · 105
Public Law 97–189
To provide for the designation of July 9, 1982, and April 9, 1983, as “National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day”.
Approved June 1, 1982
Statutory text
Joint Resolution
To provide for the designation of July 9, 1982, and April 9, 1983, as “National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day”.
Whereas the United States has fought in many wars;
Whereas thousands of Americans who served in such wars were captured by the enemy or are missing in action;
Whereas many American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhuman treatment by their enemy captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war and many such prisoners of war died from such treatment;
Whereas it is uncertain whether those Americans missing in action are alive or dead and such uncertainty has caused their families to suffer acute hardship; and
Whereas the sacrifices of American prisoners of war and Americans missing in action and their families are deserving of national recognition: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the ninth day of July
National P.O.W/M.I.A Recognition Day.
1982 and the ninth day of April 1983 shall be designated as “National P.O.W./M.I.A. Recognition Day” and the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation each year calling upon the people of the United States to commemorate such day with appropriate activities.
Approved June 1, 1982.