Dear Tiger Survivors, next of Kin and Ex POWs all wars, veterans and friends

I am respectfully requesting your support in getting House Resolution (HR) 2369, "Honoring Our Fallen Prisoners of War Act," introduced into the Senate as a Companion Bill.

The Gallant American Prisoners of War who died in enemy captivity over the years, can no longer speak for themselves. As such, it is left to us (the living) to champion their cause.

Our Prisoners of War who died in enemy captivity gave their last full measure of devotion to Our Nation and her people. And even while serving as POWs, these courageous souls never gave up the fight and maintained their patriotism and dedication at the cost of their own lives! "Let us now speak up for them with our remembrance and appreciation for their supreme sacrifice!”

I am taking the liberty of enclosing herein a copy of a bi-partisan bill that was introduced on 16 May of this year by Congressman Bob Filner of California. I sincerely hope that after you read this worthwhile legislation, you too will lend your support to our efforts in getting this Bill [HR 2369] “HONORING OUR FALLEN PRISONERS OF WAR ACT” passed into law!

I URGE YOU TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES and SENATORS asking them to co sponsor this bill in the House or introduce it into the Senate as a companion bill.

It is important that you act now as all of our Senators and Representatives have been sent this bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, this Legislation would finally grant (long overdue) recognition in the form of a Posthumous Purple Heart Medal to our courageous men and women in uniform who expired while in enemy captivity (7 December 1941 to the present, and indeed, even into the future)!

We would greatly appreciate your help in this effort, and know that you too share in our gratitude for the supreme sacrifices made by America's Prisoner of War, especially those who died while being held captive under often-brutal circumstances!

Sincerely,

Brenda and Rick Tavares (Relatives of Corporal Melvin H. Morgan, a Prisoner of War who died of starvation & beatings in captivity in North Korea, 12/6/1950, age 20)

And Wilbert (Shorty) Estabrook (Ex-Prisoner of War in North Korea) Founder of the Tiger Survivors and author of this bill.

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Honor Our Fallen Prisoners of War Act (Introduced in House)

HR 2369 IH
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2369

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the Purple Heart to be awarded to prisoners of war who die in captivity under circumstances not otherwise establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 16, 2005

Mr. FILNER (for himself and Mr. MCNULTY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the Purple Heart to be awarded to prisoners of war who die in captivity under circumstances not otherwise establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Honor Our Fallen Prisoners of War Act".

SEC. 2. AWARD OF PURPLE HEART FOR PRISONERS OF WAR WHO DIE IN CAPTIVITY.

(a) Persons not Otherwise Eligible for the Purple Heart- Chapter 57 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

Sec. 1135. Purple Heart: members who die while prisoners of war that are not otherwise eligible under the circumstances causing death

(a) For purposes of the award of the Purple Heart, the Secretary concerned shall treat a member of the armed forces described in subsection (b) in the same manner as a member who is killed or wounded in action as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States.

(b) A member described in this subsection is a member who dies in captivity under circumstances establishing eligibility for the prisoner-of-war medal under section 1128 of this title but not under circumstances establishing eligibility for the Purple Heart.

(c) This section applies to members of the armed forces who die on or after December 7, 1941. In the case of a member who dies as described in subsection (b) on or after December 7, 1941, and before the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary concerned shall award the Purple Heart under subsection (a) in each case which is known to the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this section or for which an application is made to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary requires.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

1135. Purple Heart: members who die while prisoners of war that are not otherwise eligible under the circumstances causing death.'