WHEREAS, Throughout this Nation's history, American men and women, military and civilian have been placed in harm's way in order to secure the sanctity of our shores, the substance of our Constitution, our basic human rights and values and those of our allies and friends.

WHEREAS, Throughout this Nation's history, American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Others have not only paid the ultimate sacrifice, but 100,000 have joined the legion of the lost when they became Prisoners of War or Missing In Action.

WHEREAS, Throughout this Nation's history, the families of these honored POWs and MIAs have also paid the ultimate sacrifice in the loss of their loved ones, and the continued inability and unwillingness of our United States Government and its former adversaries and allies to provide them with answers, the truth and resolution.

WHEREAS, we, the families, veterans, activists and caring citizens stand in awe and honor these Prisoners and Missing for their continued valor and sacrifice.

NOW THEREFORE, we, the families, veterans, activists and caring citizens, by virtue of our authority as American citizens, taxpayers and voters, do hereby proclaim not only today, September 18th, 1998, as NATIONAL POW-MIA RECOGNIZATION DAY, but hereby reaffirm our commitment to this issue and proclaim every day POW-MIA RECOGNITION DAY until all the POWs and MIAs come home, their remains are returned to American soil or the truth of their fate is known.