http://www.powmiaff.org/recognitionday.html
POW/MIA Recognition Day: Background
The following information is generously provided by the National League of POW/MIA Families:
Until July 18th, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor America's POW/MIAs, those returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from our nation's wars. That first year, resolutions were passed in the Congress and the national ceremony was held at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. The Missing Man formation was flown by the 1st Tactical Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia. The Veterans Administration published a poster including only the letters "POW/MIA" and that format was continued until 1982 when a black and white drawing of a POW in harsh captivity was used to convey the urgency of the situation
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=31204
The American Presidency Project
Jimmy Carter
XXXIX President of the United States: 1977-1981
National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day Statement on Signing H.J. Res. 963 Into Law.
August 18th, 1978
American soldiers have been captured or have become missing in action during each of our country's wars.
The agony of their families has been incalculable. The prisoners themselves have suffered deprivation, starvation, abuse, torture, and sometimes death at the hands of their captors.
Their heroism in the face of these afflictions has often been greater than the heroism of men in battle; the prisoner's battle to preserve life, dignity, and honor can go on day after painful day, sometimes for years.
And the anguish suffered by the families of Americans missing in action is prolonged by lack of certainty over the fate of a husband or son or grandson or brother.
I am proud to sign a bill honoring these Americans who have given so much and endured so much. Many of them have won through to become some of America's finest citizens—like the former prisoner of war who is one of the sponsors of this bill, Senator Hathaway. I join all Americans in gratefully recognizing their sacrifices.
NOTE; As enacted, H.J. Res. 963 is Public Law 95-349, approved August 18. The resolution requests the President to issue a proclamation designating July 18, 1979, as "National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day."
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=32434
The American Presidency Project
Jimmy Carter
XXXIX President of the United States: 1977-1981
Proclamation 4664 - National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day, 1979
June 4th, 1979
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In each of America's past wars our prisoners of war have represented a special sacrifice. On them has fallen an added burden of loneliness, trauma, and hardship. Their burden becomes double when there is inhumane treatment by the enemy in violation of common human compassion, ethical standards, and international obligations.
The Congress has by Joint Resolution (Public Law 95-349) designated July 18, 1979, as "National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day."
As we now enjoy the blessings of peace, it is appropriate that all Americans recognize the special debt owed those Americans held prisoner during wartime. It also is appropriate that we remember the unresolved casualties of war, our soldiers who are missing. The pain and bitterness of war endures for the families, relatives and friends of those whose fate is unknown. Our Nation will continue to seek answers to the questions that remain about their fate.
Now, THEREFORE, I, JIMMY CARTER, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Wednesday, July 18, 1979, as National P.O.W.-M.I.A. Recognition Day, a day dedicated both to all former American prisoners of war as well as those still missing and to their families. I call on all Americans to join on this occasion in honoring those who made the special sacrifice of being captive in war, and their loved ones.
And I call on State and local officials and private organizations to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of June, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and third.
JIMMY CARTER
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=73863
George W. Bush [ UNITED STATES TITLE 18 TREASON ]
Statement on the Launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery
July 26, 2005
On behalf of all Americans, I wish the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery a safe and successful mission. Today's launch marks NASA's return to flight following the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia crew in February 2003.
