Click here to view Chairman Miller’s Floor Speech

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the National POW/MIA Remembrance Act of 2015 (H.R. 1670), a measure to direct the Architect of the Capitol to obtain a chair featuring the logo of the National League of POW/MIA Families and have it placed on display in the U.S. Capitol. The measure now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Chairman Candice Miller (R-MI) made the following remarks in support of the measure:

“As Members of Congress, we each represent diverse congressional districts, but one of the things that ties us together are the many brave men and women that we represent who stood on the battle lines in defense of our nation’s freedom, our liberty, and our way of life. This legislation introduced by our colleague Representative Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts, honors American prisoners of war and Americans missing in action. The chair will serve as the permanent reminder of the enormous sacrifice made by those who served our country and were taken as POWs or listed as MIA. The importance of remembering and honoring their great sacrifice can never be overstated. Our nation has a responsibility to them and to their families who have shared in their sacrifice and we must never forget.

“Our heroes deserve to be honored, especially in the U.S. Capitol, which is itself a symbol of our American beliefs and the liberties and freedoms they sacrificed to defend. This chair will honor veterans like Sam Johnson, one of our colleagues in the House. Sam is one of the most stalwart protectors of those who have served and who himself endured nearly seven years as a POW, including 42 months in solitary confinement, in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. 43 years ago, Sam Johnson returned to the United States to be reunited with his loved ones and we are so honored to have the privilege to serve with him today here in this House.

“In addition to Sam Johnson, when I think about the meaning behind this memorial, I think about an individual who lives in my district. His first name is Donald, but many know him by the name Digger, Digger O’Dell. Digger enlisted in 1952 into the Air Force. He was shot down in October of 1967 and was kept prisoner for five and a half years in Hanoi Hilton. Thankfully, Digger made it home, as Sam did, after all those years in a North Vietnam camp. He is now in his eighties, and serves as a member of our local air base community council, and chairs a fundraising event for the Special Olympics. Digger is a remarkable man. He is one of many who selflessly served our nation, facing enormous adversity. There is my husband, Don, a former F-100 fighter pilot and proud member of the 154th Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of American in Macomb County – one of the largest in our entire nation.

“These heroes who so bravely served our nation deserve to be honored, especially in the U.S. Capitol. And certainly, this chair with the POW/MIA logo on it will forever demonstrate that we will never forget.”

The National POW/MIA Remembrance Act of 2015 (H.R. 1670) directs the Architect of the Capitol to obtain a chair featuring the logo of the National League of POW/MIA Families and place it in the U.S. Capitol.

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