HM 0209 2003
1	House Memorial
2	A memorial to the Congress of the United States urging
3	Congress to provide the Florida Department of Veterans’
4	Affairs with information available to the United States
5	Government regarding any Florida resident who is
6	classified as a United States POW/MIA.
7
8	WHEREAS, the men and women of the United States Armed
9	Forces are trained and dedicated to protect the security of our
10	nation, and
11	WHEREAS, these men and women have devoted themselves to the
12	task of protecting our lives and liberty as United States
13	citizens, and
14	WHEREAS, all Americans derive inspiration from the
15	sacrifices endured by members of the Armed Services during
16	captivity as prisoners of war, and
17	WHEREAS, the courage of the families of those members of
18	the Armed Services who still remain missing or unaccounted for
19	is also a great source of inspiration and admiration for all
20	Americans, and
21	WHEREAS, Americans recognize the special debt of gratitude
22	owed to those who have sacrificed their freedom in the service
23	of our country, and
24	WHEREAS, as a reaffirmation of our commitment to the
25	courageous families of these military personnel, the State of
26	Florida pledges to officially inquire as to the identity of any
27	Florida resident whom the United States Government classifies as
28	a POW/MIA, and
29	WHEREAS, the State of Florida, upon official notification
30	that a Florida resident is classified as a United States
31	POW/MIA, vows to officially act to ascertain information
32	regarding the POW/MIA’s well-being, and to do all that is within
33	the power of the State of Florida to ensure his or her safe
34	return, NOW, THEREFORE,
35
36	Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
37
38	That the Congress of the United States is requested to
39	provide the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs with any
40	information available to the United States Government regarding
41	any Florida resident who is classified as a United States
42	POW/MIA in order that the Florida Department of Veterans’
43	Affairs, upon official notification that a Florida resident is
44	so classified, may commence official action to ascertain
45	information regarding the POW/MIA’s well-being and endeavor to
46	bring about his or her safe return to the United States.
47	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any information made available
48	to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs by the United
49	States Congress or ascertained by the Florida Department of
50	Veterans’ Affairs under the provisions of this memorial shall be
51	accessible to members of the immediate family of the POW/MIA.
52	Immediate family is defined as a parent, child, spouse, or any
53	other relative by blood, marriage, or adoption.
54	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
55	dispatched to the President of the United States, to the
56	President of the United States Senate, to the Speaker of the
57	United States House of Representatives, and to each member of
58	the Florida delegation to the United States Congress.
59