SENATE 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.

Senate Committee on Rules

Majority Report:     Boosted to Second Reading.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

AS OF JANUARY 26, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Despite repeated requests by individuals and concerned organizations, a number of federal agencies have refused to disclose identification and other types of pertinent information relating to prisoners of war (POWs) and military personnel missing in action (MIAs) from World War II and the Korean or Viet Nam conflicts.  H.R. 3603, now before the U.S. House of Representatives, would require that all such information be released, with the exception of data which could compromise the national security or which would violate privacy of personal information.

SUMMARY:

In considering H.R. 3603, Congress is requested to take into account the concerns of the people of Washington, including:

     --Disclosure would assist effective examination of the nation's past and provide a more complete and accurate factual basis upon which to develop future policy;

     --Disclosure would allow future generations to pay tribute to their fellow Americans who were and still may be prisoners of war or missing in action, from World War II, or from the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts; and

     --Disclosure could contribute to peace of mind for loved ones and possibly assist in securing the return of surviving prisoners of war.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested