HOUSE BILL REPORT

SJM 8020

BYSenators Thorsness, Vognild, Nelson, Bender, Amondson, Gaspard, Metcalf, Patterson, Conner, Benitz, Wojahn, Cantu, Bauer, Saling, Warnke, Johnson, Barr, Stratton, Bluechel, Smith, Kreidler, Anderson, Moore, Newhouse, Craswell, Bailey, Sellar, Sutherland, Madsen, Murray, Talmadge, West, Rasmussen, Patrick, von Reichbauer, Lee and Fleming

Requesting Congress to make disclosure regarding missing in action/prisoner of war Americans.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, R. King, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 27, 1990

BACKGROUND:

According to some accounts, there are an estimated 20,000 individuals listed as prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA) from World War II, 8,000 individuals from the Korean conflict, and 2,500 from the Vietnam conflict.

Last November, H.R. 3603 was introduced in Congress to direct federal departments or agencies to make public any information even possibly relating to POW's or MIA's from the last three major armed conflicts.  The bill also directs the Department of Defense to make a list of all persons classified as POW's or MIA's.  The requirement for disclosure of information does not apply to information about the source or methods of intelligence collection that would compromise national security.  Information specifically naming a U.S. service member and not related to POW's or MIA's may not be released without the written consent of that member's closest living relative.

Disclosure of existing information must occur within 180 days of the passage of the act, and any new information must be disclosed within 180 days of its receipt.  If an agency determines that release of information would compromise the safety of U.S. personnel thought to be prisoners of war, the agency will notify the congressional intelligence committees and the president for their review of the information.

SUMMARY:

The Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of Washington urge Congress to pass and the president to sign H.R. 3603, a federal bill that provides for disclosure of information about prisoners of war and persons missing in action from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.  Disclosure of such information would permit the nation to better examine its past and allow present generations to pay tribute to those who contributed greatly to freedom.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Leo Thorsness, prime sponsor; Representative Ernest Crane; Bruce Agnew, Staff Director for Congressman John Miller; Richard Keeton and Bob Chandler, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Dolores Alfond, POW/MIA Association; Sig Harbak, Homecoming II; Steven Garity, Washington State POW/MIA Concerned Citizens Association; and L.W. Sowles.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The aggregate number of POW/MIA's is fairly well documented and live sightings continue to be reported, but federal agencies refuse to disclose information to families after all these years.  It is ridiculous to say that this would compromise national security.  There is no need for such secrecy.  Families are in anguish due to not knowing what has happened to their loved ones.  Americans have a right to know; if we don't resolve the past, nothing will change for our children and grandchildren.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.